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saylors-universe · 4 years ago

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All Hands on Deck, three

Rowaelin cruise trip AU

Masterlist here

word count: 5794

[Warning: explicatory language, references to sex]

[This is an interactive story! I will include Authorʻs Notes throughout the chapters to inform you when to start a particular song that you can find here in the All Hands on Deck playlist (Also can be found on the masterlist). For the best experience, listen with headphones, AND FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE STORY. Please try to use your imagination when listening and reading - live through the words. Have fun :) - Saylor]

DAY 2 - AT SEA - “Ping-Pong Competition from 12-3pm on the Sports Deck”

Aelin wakes with a throbbing headache and a searing pain from the bright light seeping into the cabin from an unfamiliar, large window with an amazing view of the open ocean. Sheʻs never been good with hangovers but this one surely takes the cake of being the most painful. She reaches her arm across her bed, trying to find her phone to see how late it is, but her fingers get tangled in a messy mop of brown curls. Shit. Finally more awake and aware, she looks over to see a tanned, defined and toned back. Trying to assess more of the situation, she sits up and gazes around a large, more homey cabin, which she determined definitely was not hers. What the fuck did you do Aelin. She racks her brain, trying to compile a report of events from the previous night.

She recalls putting on her sexy, red party dress, which she located on the ground by the cabin door. She remembers drinking way too much, more than she normally allows herself. Why would I intentionally over do myself like that? Then like a brick to the head she remembers the reason, Rowan Whitethorn. Rowan had been there. Rowan was here. On this ship. In a band. What is he doing here? And what other poor decisions did she make last night in spite of his presence. Or on a more pressing note, who is this stranger lying next to her? She vaguely remembers a night of music, annoyingly loud shrieks, and many, many alcoholic beverages. She can recall dancing with Manon who replaced herself with a tan, attractive and very unfortunate bystander. A hazy memory resurfaces of her night dancing with this man, or to be more technical, dancing on him. She recalls passionate, drunk kisses, and a long make out session on the trip to his room behind the shipʻs bridge (command center). Brief moments of ecstasy and pleasure from the night with this stranger flash through her mind.

Connecting the dots, she slowly slips out of the bed and looks around, and gathers her shoes and phone. She picks up her dress on the floor and slips into it in a much easier and faster manner than she had the previous night. She spots her key card under the bed, on the side of her one-night stand. As she reaches for it, he fusses and drearily opens his eyes. She quietly chokes as she really takes in the man. He was wildly attractive, his honey brown eyes matched his chestnut locks, now messy with bed head.

“Hey you,” he greets, his voice heavy with sleep. His lips curl up in a mild grin, a grin that Aelin would have found completely adorable if she had known who he was and not been in this particular situation.

“Hi.. um”

“Sam,” he offers.

“Hi, Sam. I, uh, I have to go meet my friends for breakfast, so uh, maybe Iʻll see you around, I donʻt know, Bye!” she spouts before rushing out the door.

After successfully making it to the elevators, she leans against the back wall and sighs deeply. She takes on the walk of shame, heels in hand, and travels down her hall suddenly feeling very small. She passes a family and a few other passengers and canʻt help having a paranoid feeling that everyone was staring at her. Making it to her room, she enters and is greeted by Manon, Lys, Aedion, and Elide all crowded in the room. Feeling their weighted gaze and curious looks she ignores them and face plants on her bed.

“Fun night?” her cousin questions.

“Coffee first,” Aelin mumbles into her pillow.

“Freshen up and weʻll go see if Emrys has any,” Elide advises.

Aelin mumbles something into the pillow that sounded like a defeated agreement. She reluctantly leaves the comfort of her bed and takes a much needed, warm shower, washing the residue of last night off. Once she felt clean and somewhat normal, she put on some comfortable grey sweatpants and a short, black cropped tank top. She styles her wet hair in a quick braid and reconvenes with her friends in the main cabin. The group makes the trip to the Lido deck and find some empty seats at the food bar.

“Just in time my friends, we were just about to close up the omelette station,” the cheerful Emrys addresses the group. Luca goes through each person, jotting down their orders and finally gets to Aelin.

“Whatʻll it be milady?” the young chef asks.

“Just coffee please, thanks Luca”

“You got it,” he returns with the coffee pot in hand, filling up the mug he placed in front of her. She pours a concerning amount of sugar into her coffee and when sheʻs satisfied she takes a few sips. A dirty moan escapes her mouth, finally extinguishing her hungover pains, the rest of her party, including Emrys and Luca just stare at her in question.

“What,” she asks innocently, “this is really good coffee,” she defends.

Aedion lifts his brow in questioning, “so what happened to you last night?”

The whole group stares her down in interrogation. She breaks under the pressure, “Really itʻs Manonʻs fault, she told me to go out and have a one-night stand,” she was aware that Aedion informed Lysandra about her breakup with Chaol, Manon probably spilled to Elide, “plus seeing Rowan last night was a shock, so I donʻt know okay, I freaked out, and I got drunk, and I slept with someone, okay? there it is.”

After a few seconds of silence everyone bursts out laughing, one after another. Lysandra wipes her eyes, wet from crying with laughter.

“Finally,” she laughs again, “geez Aelin you were so wound up, we were all praying for you to get laid, we were just worried you got so wasted that you passed out and fell overboard or something.”

“So whoʻs the lucky guy?” Elide pries.

“I donʻt know, he said his name was Sam?”

“Sam Cortland?” Emrys interrupts, listening to the tea.

“I donʻt know, we didnʻt get to a last name basis, I donʻt even think he knows my name.”

“Brown hair, brown eyes, tanned, muscular, about ye high,” he puts his hand about six inches above his head.

“Yeah sounds about right”

Emrys and Luca share a look with each other and then break out in more laughs, nearly dropping to the floor in continuous giggles and labored breathing.

“My dear, you spent the night with THE Sam Cortland, a co-captain of the Ellywe Voyager,” Emrys finally reveals after calming down from his laughter high.

Her face goes pale, draining of all color, processing what she had done.

“I slept with the fucking captain!,” she said a little too loud for nearby ears.

“One of them, Iʻm pretty sure he wasnʻt on call last night”

Everyone immediately falls into fits of laughter once again, which she did not find amusing or hilarious at all. Manon, who almost never shows emotions, could not contain her tears of laughter, nearly dying of her questionable cackling. Aelin zeroes in on her, brows furrowed, eyes glaring in a manner that would have terrified anyone else, but not Manon.

“Iʻm going to kill you.”

“Iʻd like to see you try babes,” Manon snickers even more.

As the rest of them finish up their breakfast Elide asks if they want to head to the music room and practice for tonightʻs show, and then if they have some time, hit the pool before their performance. They agree with the plan and get up to leave.

“Iʻll be there soon, I need to finish my coffee and process my existence for a little while longer,” Aelin jokes, just needing some time to collect her thoughts.

Noting her tone, Aedion hangs back for a couple seconds, “your not still sad about Chaol are you?”

“Oh god, Chaol. I forgot about that,” she did, she had successfully forgotten about him and their breakup. She had forgotten the pain he had caused her, it was replaced by confusion and emptiness, that was temporarily healed last night. “Iʻm good, really Aedion, I feel much better.”

“Youʻre sure?”

She nods and then hugs her protective cousin. He shuffles off and catches up with their friends, abandoning Aelin in Emrys and Lucaʻs warm company.

“So the captain huh..” Luca makes conversation.

“Ugh,” she cries and drops her head into her hands, which causes Luca to chuckle a little more as he wipes down the counters and continues cleaning up from their breakfast mess. He gathers the dishes and takes them to the back to wash with Emrys, leaving Aelin to her coffee and thoughts.

“Hey stranger,” a deep, firm voice called behind her.

Gods, oh gods no. She turns expecting to see the captain she had spent the night with but no, whatever higher powers there was, they definitely had a bone to pick with her. Instead of the brown eyed brunette acquaintance, a tall, muscular and tanned man with flowy, silver locks and piercing, pine green eyes stood with a familiar, soft smile and dimple creasing his cheek.

“Rowan,” she said sounding surprised, “Hi.” She offered him a hug that not only felt unnatural, but extremely awkward and he takes a seat at the bar stool next to her.

“I canʻt believe itʻs really you. Wow, how long has it been, what eight, nine years?” She knew exactly how long itʻs been; eight years, six months, and ten days since her heart was shattered and since they had last laid eyes on each other. She shouldn't know how long itʻs been but she did.

“Um yeah something like that,” he knew just as long as well, all the way down to the hour, but heʻd never tell her that, “I thought that was you I saw last night, you look... really great Aelin,” understatement of the century, he thought to himself.

Her body betrays her and a soft, rosy blush appears on her cheeks.

“Thanks, you look great too,” ʻYou look great?ʻ you idiot, he looks so good, like sex personified, her eyes may have spent a little too long lingering his body when assessing him again.

“What are you doing here?” they both ask at the same time, then laughed.

“Iʻm in the band, playing for the cruise,” Rowan starts.

“Me too,” Aelin stammers, “well in the other one I guess.”

“Youʻre in Elideʻs band?”

“Mhm,” she nods, taking another sip of her now cold coffee, “youʻre in Lorcanʻs?”

“Yeah. Wow, small world.”

“Iʻll say,” then she chuckles, “you guyʻs were amazing last night,” she adds.

“Thanks, I hear you guys perform tonight, right? Iʻm looking forward to it”

“Yeah, speaking of that, I better head to practice, theyʻre expecting me,” she swiftly downs the rest of her coffee, yells to Emrys and Luca in the back thanking them for breakfast, then turns back to Rowan, “it was good seeing you.”

“Yeah, you too,” he lifts his arm, hand resting behind his neck, “Could I possibly see you again, sometime?” he asks, not realizing how the question would affect her.

“Maybe,” she promises and then flees off to the Promenade level, where Elide had informed her the music room was. She passes through the beautiful ballroom with the lonely grand piano, just begging to be played.

After a few wrong turns, she makes it to the music room where her bandmates are nearly finished setting up. “I just ran into Rowan,” she confesses, struggling to slow her racing heart and short breaths.

“You okay?” Elide comforts, swearing she had no idea her Rowan Whitethorn was the Rowan apart of Lorcanʻs band.

“Yeah I think Iʻve just experienced enough shock and bad decisions for a lifetime,” she takes a few deep breaths and calms herself, “have you guys decided on the set for tonight?”

Lysandra answers, “we think so, we really want to show the guys up and go big tonight you know? So how about we open with Rooftop, go into All Stars, and ...” she plans their set and the rest of the girls agree, stoked for the energetic and fun show ahead. They prepare their instruments, Aelin with her bass, Elide and Lys with their guitars and Lys also on the keyboard, lastly Manon on drums and sound board. Queenʻs Court started as a rock alternative band but they learned other styles and adapted pop, and edm as well and incorporated the different styles within their writing. They played a few clean run throughs and felt satisfied for the show later that night. After practice they packed up their instruments and notified the staff they were ready to have their gear brought to the stage and set up, which they took care of.

---------------------------------------------------

NIGHT 2 - AT SEA - “Come check out the ʻQueenʻs Courtʻ Live on the Sky Deck at 7pm”

Finishing their practice earlier than expected, the girls decided to return to their rooms and change into their swimsuits to dip in the pool before their show. Elide alerts everyone that she invited Lorcan so there would be a possibility of his friends joining, an addition Aelin didn't completely object too. She told herself that seeing Rowan again wouldn't be the worst thing, plus if the two bands were going to be sharing stage time, they might as well get to know each other.

With the extra audience in mind, Aelin picks out her most flattering, vibrant green bikini that showed off her sculpted, sexy figure, not leaving much to imagination. Manon chose a pretty, black bandeau top and matching bikini bottoms. Aelin puts on a white, mesh bathing suit cover up mini-dress that only showed off the bikini more, and Manon a deep red, mesh skirt, tying the black and red ensemble together. Together they recite their self confidence mantra: I am Hot. I am Sexy. I am Badass. I am That Bitch. and they grab their keycards and head up to the pool to meet their friends.

They run into Lysandra and Aedion on their way out and traveled to the Lido deck together. Sure enough, The Cadre had decided to join the Queenʻs Court on their little pool get together. The men she recalled from the show last night had already been in the pool, swimming and fooling around, when they had reached the deck. They had been the only people on the deck, everyone seemed to have been at dinner, a perk the bands have not taken advantage of yet. Lorcan and Elide who stayed in their corner of the pool, were the first to greet them. An unfairly attractive, shirtless and sculpted man with beautiful golden hair hops out of the pool and greets the newcomers.

“Ladies,” he acknowledges as he grabs his towel off an occupied sun tanning chair. “And bro,” he shakes Aedionʻs hand who takes it firmly.

“Please, call me Aedion.”

“You got it, Iʻm Fenrys, and thatʻs Connal,” he points to the dark brunette man laying on the nearby tanning chair with his towel, who looks nearly identical to him, besides the hair. “And you beautiful ladies are?” They each go around introducing each other. After getting acquainted, Aelin looks at the pool and gasps at the sight of a shirtless, wet Rowan exiting the pool, water dripping down his muscular figure and defined abs and chest.

“Rowan,” he introduces, “how you doing?”

Lysandra leans in to Aelin and whispers near her ear, “ Oh. My. Gods.”

Aelin wacks her arm, as if defending herself from being caught, and Lysandra just giggles and grabs Aedion to get in the pool. Rowan grabs his phone and syncs up with the pool deck speakers nearby and starts a playlist.

[A.N.] You can play “Temple” by Preston Hutto now if you want. I will not be following along with the lyrics, Rowan just plays this song and sets the vibe for their afternoon. Find playlist here.

They managed to make it to the pool just in time for sunset. The entire sky lights up with beautiful hues of orange and pink. Manon and Aelin take base at the deck railing, watching the mesmerizing natural art. The activities director, Dorian, walks by, making last minute checks for the show.

“Hey you guys, beautiful isnʻt it,” he startles the two, taking their attention from the sky.

“Dorian, hi,” Manon says, a little higher than she normally talks.

Understanding that they have already been acquainted, Aelin reaches out a hand for him to shake and introduces herself. She notices the two starting to hit it off, talking about some time they shared the previous night, and she takes the hint and excuses herself.

She takes off her mesh cover dress, leaving it with her friendsʻ towels and belongings on a sun-tanning deck chair and struts to the pool, taking a seat on the pools edge and dips in her feet. Before too long, Rowan approaches, taking his place seated next to her.

“Hey you,” “Hey yourself,”

As if no time had passed, the two click once again and try to catch up as best they could, starting with their band stories and recent events. Rowan, who was more private with his business than most, always felt completely comfortable and vulnerable with Aelin, exposing his deepest, darkest thoughts and feelings. He shares with her his past, his experience dropping out of college and instead finding work in construction, where he reconnected with Lorcan and met Fenrys and Connal. He shares about his relationship with Lyria, how he was preparing to propose, when they had irresponsibly gotten into a severe car crash and she passed away. He admits to falling off the deep end, in a wave of depression and rage, a place Lorcan and his two other bandmates pulled him out of. He revealed how their music saved him and brought him out of a miserable, guilt-ridden existence.

As instinct, she lays a hand on his bicep and makes soft vertical motions, soothing and comforting him. She takes her turn, sharing how they organically came together through their roommates, one day discovering that they each were musically gifted and decided to combine their talents. She tells about her discovery her cheating ex boyfriend and her late night fiasco with the shipʻs captain. Rowan laughs about the captain situation but Aelin could see through the mask, and noticed a hint of displeasure. She takes a turn sharing her deep rooted feelings, feelings that she had not fully shown her friends. She shares how she had been feeling broken and empty in recent months after losing her parents to illness, she shares a similar story of how writing music had helped her deal with her feelings.

Moving into the pool, where each couple held their own corner, Aelin and Rowan continued to share their stories, many of which were embarrassing, and got the other to laugh hysterically. What felt like no time at all, had actually been forever. Elide pointed out that they lost track of time, and had to be on stage in five minutes. The girls assembled and decided to just perform in their swimsuits, agreeing that it was just as provocative as what they probably would have prepared.

After somewhat drying off, The Cadre boys + Dorian escort the Queenʻs Court girls + Aedion up to the Sky deck and backstage.

...

“Donʻt set the bar too high, alright ladies, we guys still have to make a living somehow,” Fenrys teases.

Rowan takes his chance and pulls Aelin aside. “Break a leg out there,” he cheers for her. She just returns his wink from the former night, and he quite literally feels his heart skip a beat.

The shirtless, still mildly soaked, men find their place in the large audience, towering over many of the nearby fan girls who canʻt help but stare and gawk at them. While their attention was on them, his attention was solely on the blonde beauty in a green bikini. The beautiful women take the stage. The crowd roars and Rowan can feel the already wild energy from the group and itʻs fans.

He watches like a hawk, as Aelin grabs the front microphone.

“Ellywe how are we feeling tonight,” the audience matches with loud screams and cheers, “really? thatʻs it? come on, I know you guys can get louder than that,” she baits the crowd. They accept the challenge and grow exponentially in volume. “Now thatʻs what I like to hear, Ellywe are you guys ready to party?” He thought it impossible, yet the audience got even louder in their joyful praises. “What do you think girls? I say we show Ellywe Voyager how we party in the Queenʻs Court,” more gleeful shrieks.

[A.N.] Play “Rooftop” by Skylar Stecker now, follow along, and let your imagination take you there. Find the playlist here.

- The house lights shine vibrant blues and reds all over the stage. -

Manon (soundboard): BUM-DID-DE-DUM-DID-DE-DUM-DA-DUM

Aelin: YE-AH!

- The crowd immediately matches the beat and starts dancing -

Manon: BUM-DE-DI-DUM-DA-DE-DUM-BUM-MI-DAD-DUM-BUDDA-DUM-DUMD-D-D-D-D-DUM

Aelin: YOU KNOW IʻM THROWINʻ IT UP [HEY!]

TO ALL MY GIRLS IN THE CITY [WOO!]

AND IF YOU ROLLINʻ WITH US [HEY!]

IT AINʻT GONNA BE PRETTY [WOO!]

WE ALWAYS KEEP IT ONE HUNDRED, HUNDRED [HEY!]

NO, WE NEVER GO ʻFITY [WOO!]

AND WE BE SHUTTINʻ IT DOWN [HEY!]

SO WHO COMINʻ WITH ME

OH, SOMEONE KEEPINʻ IT LOUD

LIVINʻ RIGHT HERE AND NOW

AND IF YOU DONʻT KNOW, NOW, WHAT IʻM TALKINʻ ABOUT

SAY, “OOOOOOOO-OOO-OOO-OO-OOO-OOOOOOOH”

WE GONNA SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP [HEY!]

ʻCAUSE WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP [HEY!]

IF YOU READY, COME ON, HERE WE GO

SHOUT IT OUT WITH MEEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA

THIS IS HOW ITʻS GOINʻ BEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA

WE GET IT GOINʻ LIKE, “BUM-DED-DE-DUM-DID-DE-DUM-DA-DUM

BUM-DE-DI-DUM-DA-DE-DUM-BUM-MI-DID-DUM-BUDDA-DUM-DUMD-D-D-D-D-DUM

BUM-DED-DE-DUM-DID-DE-DUM-DA-DUM

BUM-DE-DI-DUM-DA-DE-DUM-BUM-MI-DID-DUM-BUDDA-DUM-DUMD-D-D-D-D-DUM”

COME ON AND GET IT THE ZONE [HEY!]

WHY ARE YOU WAITINʻ? [WOO!]

AND IF YOU WANNA GO HOME [HEY!]

YOU BETTA WATCH WHAT YOU SAYINʻ [WOO!]

ʻCAUSE WE ONLY GONNA TURN THINGS UP, NOW [HEY!]

WEʻRE NEVER FADINʻ [WOO!]

AND IF YOU WANNA GET DOWN [HEY!]

IT AINʻT COMPLICATED

AAYE-AAYE

OH, SOMEONE KEEPINʻ IT LOUD

LIVINʻ RIGHT HERE AND NOW

AND IF YOU DONʻT KNOW, NOW, WHAT IʻM TALKINʻ ABOUT

SAY, “OOOOOOOO-OOO-OOO-OO-OOO-OOOOOOOH”

WE GONNA SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP [HEY!]

ʻCAUSE WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP [HEY!]

IF YOU READY, COME ON, HERE WE GO

SHOUT IT OUT WITH MEEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA

THIS IS HOW ITʻS GOINʻ BEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA

WE GET IT GOINʻ LIKE, “BUM-DED-DE-DUM-DID-DE-DUM-DA-DUM

BUM-DE-DI-DUM-DA-DE-DUM-BUM-MI-DID-DUM-BUDDA-DUM-DUMD-D-D-D-D-DUM

BUM-DED-DE-DUM-DID-DE-DUM-DA-DUM

BUM-DE-DI-DUM-DA-DE-DUM-BUM-MI-DID-DUM-BUDDA-DUM-DUMD-D-D-D-D-DUM”

UP ON THE ROOF WHERE THE PARTY HOT

TURNINʻ IT UP ʻTIL WE MAKE IT ROCK

TWO TURN TABLES AND WEʻLL NEVAʻ STOP

UP ON THE ROOF WHERE THE PARTY HOT

TURNINʻ IT UP ʻTIL WE MAKE IT ROCK

TWO TURN TABLES AND WEʻLL NEVAʻ STOP

OOOOOH-OOOOOH-OOOOOOOH-OOOOOOOOOH

WE GONNA SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP [HEY!]

ʻCAUSE WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP [HEY!]

IF YOU READY, COME ON, HERE WE GO

SHOUT IT OUT WITH MEEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA

THIS IS HOW ITʻS GOINʻ BEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA-EEE-EEE-EEEA

WE GET IT GOINʻ LIKE, “BUM-DED-DE-DUM-DID-DE-DUM-DA-DUM

BUM-DE-DI-DUM-DA-DE-DUM-BUM-MI-DID-DUM-BUDDA-DUM-DUMD-D-D-D-D-DUM

BUM-DED-DE-DUM-DID-DE-DUM-DA-DUM

BUM-DE-DI-DUM-DA-DE-DUM-BUM-MI-DID-DUM-BUDDA-DUM-DUMD-D-D-D-D-DUM”

- The crowd goes crazy and Rowan looks over to see Fenrys in complete awe, “I have never been so turned on,” he says which warrants a strong punch to the arm -

[A.N.] Start “All Stars” by Martin Solveig and Alma now, follow along, and let your imagination work. Find playlist here.

- Elide opens and Rowan can feel Lorcanʻs beaming pride for his fiance -

Elide: [T-TURN ON]

WE ALL STARS, WE ARE ONE

WE LIGHT UP THE NIGHT LIKE A BLACK SUN

WE ALL SHINE, WE ARE CHROME

AND WE ARE SHIMMERING

TURN ON, TURN ON [T-TURN ON]

- Aelin enters with the bass, and Rowan canʻt help but gawk in admiration, thoroughly impressed and blown away by her. -

Elide: PLAY IT LOUD, WE DONʻT CARE

AND DANCE LIKE THEREʻS NOBODY THERE

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, YEAH

LIGHT IT UP EVERY NIGHT

ʻCAUSE WE ARE SHIMMERING

TURN ON, TURN ON. [T-TURN ON]

WE ALL STARS, WE ARE ONE

WE LIGHT UP THE NIGHT LIKE A BLACK SUN

WE ALL SHINE, WE ARE CHROME

AND WE ARE SHIMMERING

COME ON, COME ON, YʻALL

- The entire audience jumps in unison with the beat, itʻs a miracle the ship doesn't break and sink by the sheer force of everyones matter bouncing in sync. -

Elide: WE ALL STARS, WE ARE ONE

WE LIGHT UP THE NIGHT LIKE A BLACK SUN

WE ALL SHINE, WE ARE CHROME

AND WE ARE SHIMMERING

TURN ON, TURN ON. [T-TURN ON]

WE KISS AND WE DONʻT TELL

SPIN LIKE A CAROUSEL

DONʻT LIKE IT? GO TO HELL

Manon: THIS IS OUR FAVORITE SONG

Elide: LIGHTS ON EVERYBODY

WE PARTY LEGENDARY

HIGH ON SOUR AND FURY

TURN ON NOW

CALLING ALL STARS, COME ON

- The beat rises in anticipation, preparing the audience to go ape shit. -

Aelin: “Ellywe I better see you fucking dance!”

Elide: CALLING ALL STARS, COME ON

- The crowd did not hold back, including Rowan and The Cadre. Everyone in the audience jumped and danced in a euphoric high, completely enraptured by the Queenʻs Court. -

Elide: WE ALL STARS, WE ARE ONE

CALLING ALL STARS. [STARS]

CALLING ALL STARS, COME ON

WE ALL SHINE, WE ARE CHROME

AND WE ARE SHIMMERING

TURN ON, TURN ON. [T-TURN ON]

CALLING ALL STARS, COME ON

- Their fans go absolutely feral, shouting with pleasure and cheering “Queenʻs Court, Queenʻs Court, Queenʻs Court!” Rowans sole focus takes the heart of the stage again and he canʻt quite explain what his body does in sight of her in her element, and in that green bikini. -

[A.N.] Start “We Found Love” by Rihanna (feat. Calvin Harris) now, follow along, and live in the moment. Find playlist here.

- The music stars and the passengers on deck praise the idols on stage. -

Aelin: YELLOW DIAMONDS IN THE LIGHT

HOW WEʻRE STANDINʻ SIDE BY SIDE

AS YOUR SHADOW CROSSES MINE

WHAT IT TAKES TO COME ALIVE

ITʻS THE WAY IʻM FEELIN

I JUST CANʻT DENY

BUT IʻVE GOTTA LET IT GO

WE FOUND LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE

- The beat rises again and just as the beat is about to drop Aelin screams, “Everybody fucking jump!” and they all obey, dancing together with the music. Rowan catches her attention and shares a quick wink again. She smiles, kisses her hand and blows him a kiss, a kiss he catches, brings to his heart and playfully falls back like heʻs been shot by cupidʻs bow. -

Aelin: SHINE A LIGHT THROUGH AN OPEN DOOR

NOT THE LIFE I WILL DIVIDE

TURN AWAY ʻCAUSE I NEED YOU MORE

FEEL THE HEARTBEAT IN MY MIND

- Aelin plays with her hair and runs her hands over her body, an action that not only excites many in the crowd, but also does not go unnoticed by a silver haired, shirtless man in another band. Her gesture makes Rowan feel dirty, animalistic ways. -

ITʻS THE WAY IʻM FEELIN

I JUST CANʻT DENY

BUT IʻVE GOTTA LET IT GO

WE FOUND LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE

- The world slows around them and for a few brief moments, it is just Aelin and Rowan, eyes locked, souls conversing. -

Aelin: YELLOW DIAMONDS IN THE LIGHT

HOW WEʻRE STANDINʻ SIDE BY SIDE

AS YOUR SHADOW CROSSES MINE

WE FOUND LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE

- The beat builds, the energy growing stronger and wilder, the beat drops and the whole ship bobs with the sheer force of everyones dancing.

Aelin: WE FOUND LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE

WE FOUND LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE

- The audience yell cries of joy. -

[A.N.] Start “Canʻt Remember to Forget You” by Shakira and Rihanna now, follow along, and live it! Find playlist here.

Lysandra: I LEFT A NOTE ON MY BEDPOST

SAID NOT TO REPEAT YESTERDAYʻS MISTAKES

WHAT I TEND TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO YOU

I SEE ONLY THE GOOD, SELECTIVE MEMORY

THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL, YEAH

YOU GOT A HOLD ON ME

I NEVER MET SOMEONE SO DIFFERENT

OH, HERE WE GO

YOUʻRE PART OF ME NOW, YOUʻRE PART OF ME

SO WHERE YOU GO, I FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW

OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH

I CANʻT REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU

OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH

I KEEP FORGETTING I SHOULD LET YOU GO

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME

THE ONLY MEMORY IS US KISSING IN THE MOONLIGHT

OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH

I CANʻT REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU

Aelin: I GO BACK AGAIN, FALL OFF THE TRAIN

LAND IN HIS BED, REPEAT YESTERDAYʻS MISTAKES

WHAT IʻM TRYING TO SAY, IS NOT TO FORGET

YOU SEE ONLY THE GOOD, SELECTIVE MEMORY

THE WAY HE MAKES ME FEEL LIKE

THE WAY HE MAKES ME FEEL

I NEVER SEEMED TO ACT TO STUPID

OH, HERE WE GO

HE A PART OF ME NOW, HE A PART OF ME

Lyssandra: SO WHERE HE GOES, I [+Aelin] FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW

OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH

Aelin: I CANʻT REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU

OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH

Lysandra: I KEEP FORGETTING I SHOULD LET YOU GO

Aelin: BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME

THE ONLY MEMORY IS US KISSING IN THE MOONLIGHT

OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH

Lysandra: I CANʻT REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU

I ROB AND I KILL TO KEEP HIM WITH ME

I DO ANYTHING FOR THAT BOY

IʻD GIVE MY LAST DIME TO HOLD HIM TONIGHT

IʻD DO ANYTHING FOR THAT BOY

Aelin: I ROB AND I KILL TO KEEP HIM WITH ME

I DO ANYTHING FOR THAT BOY

IʻD GIVE MY LAST DIME TO HOLD HIM TONIGHT

IʻD DO ANYTHING FOR THAT BOY

[OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH]

Aelin: I CANʻT REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU

[OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH]

Lysandra: I KEEP FORGETTING I SHOULD LET YOU GO

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME

THE ONLY MEMORY IS US KISSING IN THE MOONLIGHT

[OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH]

I CANʻT REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU

Aelin: BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME

THE ONLY MEMORY IS US KISSING IN THE MOONLIGHT

[OH-OOH-OH-OH,OH-OOH-OH-OH]

Lysandra: I CANʻT REMEMBER TO FORGET YOU

- The crowd cheers and applauds. -

Aelin: “ Thank you so much Ellywe for having us! We are so stoked to be here. This last one is called Vacation, letʻs go out with a bang, WE LOVE YOU, Goodnight!”

[A.N.] Start “Vacation” by G.R.L. now, follow along, and yea you know what to do. Find playlist here.

Aelin: WAS CRYING ALL NIGHT, I SLEPT UNTIL NOON

I JUST WANNA LIE, MY LIVING ROOM

Elide: I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT YOUʻRE NOT THE ONE

SO IʻLL JUST STAY HOME, WATCH VH1

Aelin: MY GIRLFRIENDS KNOW WHAT TO DO

THEY KNOW WHAT TO SAY

[Queenʻs Court : O-OH]

MY GIRLFRIENDS TO THE RESCUE

COME TAKE ME AWAY

Queenʻs Court: IʻM ON VACATION TONIGHT

IʻM GONNA LEAVE YOU BEHIND

IʻM ON VACATION TONIGHT

IʻM GONNA LOSE MY MIND

WITH SOMEONE NEW, NEW

WITH SOMEONE

Lysandra: I SIT IN THE FRONT, ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS

WHEN OUR SONG COMES ON THE RADIO

Manon: I WONʻT FALL APART, I WONʻT SELF-DESTRUCT

NO IʻLL JUST REACH OUT AND TURN IT UP

Aelin: MY GIRLFRIENDS KNOW WHAT TO DO

THEY KNOW WHAT TO SAY

[Queenʻs Court : O-OH]

MY GIRLFRIENDS TO THE RESCUE

COME TAKE ME AWAY

Queenʻs Court: IʻM ON VACATION TONIGHT

IʻM GONNA LEAVE YOU BEHIND

IʻM ON VACATION TONIGHT

IʻM GONNA LOSE MY MIND

WITH SOMEONE NEW, NEW

WITH SOMEONE

- the music settles letting everyone reminisce and bask in the energy . -

Aelin: YEAH

LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA.

Manon: [girls letʻs go]

Elide: MY GIRLFRIENDS KNOW WHAT TO DO

THEY KNOW WHAT TO SAY [O-OH]

Lysandra: MY GIRLFRIENDS TO THE RESCUE

COME TAKE ME AWAY

Queenʻs Court: IʻM ON VACATION TONIGHT

[ Aelin: ʻCAYTION TONIGHT ]

IʻM GONNA LEAVE YOU BEHIND

[ Aelin: YOU BEHIND ]

IʻM ON VACATION TONIGHT

IʻM GONNA LOSE MY MIND

[ Aelin: IʻM GONNA LOSE MY MIND. TONIGHT. ]

IʻM ON VACATION TONIGHT

IʻM GONNA LEAVE YOU BEHIND

[ Aelin: LEAVE YOU BEHIND. ]

IʻM ON VACATION TONIGHT

IʻM GONNA LOSE MY MIND

WITH SOMEONE NEW, WITH SOMEONE NEW

WITH SOMEONE NEW, NEW

WITH SOMEONE NEW

- The night closes with loud praises and cheers from the wild audience. -

All Hands on Deck taglist:

@smalltddygothgf @booksbqueen @underworldboxers @live-the-fangirl-life @booknerdproblems @rowaelinismyotp

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frostsinth · 4 years ago

Text

Li’un Ma Shkio - Pt 3

Part One HERE & Part Two HERE

Part three of the little side story that I meant to just be a little side blurb for fun. But hey, it makes me smile, and I get some mojo for it. Hope it gives everyone who reads it the same warm feelings it gave me to write it.

In this part, Unvar tries to explain what a marriage is, and teaches her a little more of his own language too. JUICYNESS ENSUES

Like for more parts! It only gets juicier! Bold is where we left off from part 2.

He paused, the spout of the jug poised over his own cup momentarily. After a moment, he resumed pouring, then recorked the wine and replaced it back by his feet.

“Marry, I think. In Autumn.”

---

I choked on the wine I was sipping, splattering droplets everywhere. “Excuse me??” I sputtered.

He reached over and grabbed a scrap cloth from a nearby pile, holding out to me.

“Marry. It is custom. Chose mate. Then do ceremony so all tribe know that you are bonded.” He swirled his own drink and looked into the fire. “I think Autumn is nice time for ceremony-” He smiled a little- “Leaves have many colors then. Like fire.”

“I-I don’t understand,” I stammered, and stood, shaking my head, “You want to marry me?”

He looked up at me in surprise. “Yes. Then children are... hmmm, what is word…” He scratched at his chin, “They can be chief, if of marry. Better if of bonded mates than of rutting.”

“Children?? What children?”

“Ours, yes? I am confused. Are children not common after marriage among shikoba?”

“You’re confused-...I-I-well, yes, but I’m still-” I shook my head again, placing one palm against my forehead in an effort to still the swirling thoughts. “I-you… well… Besides the fact-- You don’t even know me! I don’t know you! How-How do…”

“I tell you,” He replied patiently, leaning back with his wrists resting on his knees and his back straight. “I am Unvar.” His head cocked to the side as he studied me, then nodded, “Ah yes, I see. You do not know Unvar-” He smiled mischievously-“May not be good mate.”

“That’s not-”

He stood, placing his cup on the stump, then straightened his back and squared his shoulders to his full height. Towering over me. I took a nervous step back, but he grinned, then smacked his bent arm diagonally across his chest with his fist clenched.

“I am Unvar, High Chief of Grarod Clan. Warrior of Broghuz. I am given name Wet’khika by clan; means ‘he makes noise’,” His proud grin was almost goofy given the circumstances, “I have many horses. I am leader and warrior. I always keep food and large fire. I keep safe. I will make good mate.”

“And I get no say in this?” My voice was a little more shrill than I intended, and my hands shook a little.

Again, he looked surprised, and took a step towards me with one hand out. I quickly stepped back again. He stopped, dropping his hand as his brow furrowed. Trying to process something he obviously couldn’t quite understand.

“You say. Say what you like. You are to be mate. Queen of Grarod and Broghuz. Woman of High Chief is higher than all men of clan. Save Chief, of course.”

“No, I don’t mean ‘say’ as in ‘to speak’,” I said exasperatedly, “I mean ‘say’ as in, ‘getting a part in making the decision’.”

“What… decision?”

I threw up my free hand, incredulous. “In my marriage?? In my life?? How about that for starters?” I placed my cup down on a nearby stump, and wrapped my arms around myself to keep from shaking. “I-I mean, you kidnap me, force me to come with you, you won’t let me return to my family, and now I’m to marry you?? Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?!”

He looked indignant. “I not kidnap you!”

I laughed out loud then, if only to keep from crying. “I have no choice but to come with you, even though I don’t want to. What do you call that?”

“I keep you safe.”

“You keep saying that! Like it means something!” I felt the sharp pain returning to my throat, and my eyes felt wet. “And who keeps me safe from you??” I hissed, my voice breaking at the end.

I turned away sharply, dropping my chin to my chest and hunching my shoulders. Trying to avoid losing myself into the sudden realization of all the fear of the last few hours. For a moment there was silence behind me, and I tried to keep my shoulders from shaking. I closed my eyes tight in an effort to dam the tears.

Finally, after a few moments of silence, I heard the heavy shuffle of his feet. Then felt the heat of him behind me. I stiffened instinctively, and I felt him hesitate.

“I will never hurt you,” He murmured softly, his voice gentle, “I can not.”

I shook my head sadly. “You’re holding me prisoner. You think that doesn’t hurt?” My voice was soft, even to my own ears, and quivered dangerously.

“...I will give you everything... Anything. Anything in power to give. Ask, and is yours.”

“Then let me go.”

Silence, so long my ears began to ring with the strangeness of it.

Then; “That is not in power. I cannot give that.”

My legs felt weak, and I shook my head again. “I don’t understand. Why? Why me?”

Another pause, then a sigh. “I see you. And… I cannot unsee you... Buk’nik shrin,” He cursed, sounding a little frustrated, “I do not know these words.” A grunt, followed by another sigh, “I have been… without you. Now I can not. Like… air. In chest.” I heard a soft thump which I assumed was him smacking his fist against his bare chest. “I did not know. But now I can not… un-know.”

I rubbed the back of my hand against my eye, sniffling softly. “And what about me? You don’t care what I feel? What I think or want? As long as you...”

I flinched as his palm skimmed over my bare arm lightly, and pulled away. But there wasn’t anywhere to go. I was trapped, adrift in a sea of hostile warriors. Caged in a tent with my future being laid out before me without any action on my part. I took a few steps anyway, moving to the other side of the fire.

“Please, let me touch you,” He murmured, following me slowly. I still couldn’t bear to look at him. “Let me show you words I do not know…”

“I don’t want you to touch me.”

“I will not hurt you. Let me show. Please.”

I shook all over; my hands quivering, my knees knocking together. I felt so weak and afraid. The acid in my stomach rolled over itself and made me feel sick, and even closing my eyes couldn’t block out the world anymore.

“You’re crazy.” I whispered, managing to shake my head again.

He was standing next to me again, I could feel him there. The hairs on my neck and arms stood on end. I jumped again as his fingertips brushed my shoulder. There was nowhere left for me to go. I had nothing; no choices, no strength. I felt myself shaking harder as he slowly moved his hand down my arm.

There was a sudden soft thud, and a rush of air. I opened my eyes in surprise, and found his just below. He had fallen to his knees before me, and he gently pried my hands loose with his, clasping them next to his bare chest. His own hands dwarfed mine, swallowing the pale skin within his deep green depths. But it was his face that held my attention. He looked… pained. Sorrowful. Even on his knees his head came nearly to my chin, and his shoulders were twice the width of my hips at least; yet he looked up at me with such a desperate expression I thought he looked small for a moment.

“You stay, with me,” He said softly, looking down at our hands and squeezing them lightly, “Let me prove myself. You will see,” Again he looked back up, meeting my eyes, “You will feel same thing. I know this.”

I didn’t know what to say. But really, did I have much choice? I looked off to the side, unsure of how to answer. He waited, quietly, patiently. Still on his knees. It was a long time before I tendered a reply.

“And if I don’t?”

My voice was barely a whisper, yet I still saw him flinch as if I had stabbed him.

But he nodded, resolutely. “You can go. By Autumn. I will not keep you.” He squeezed my hands again gently. “Is your choice. Yes?”

Not really my choice, I thought to myself. And I wasn’t sure he would keep his word. I would still have to stay until Autumn, almost a full year. Who knows what else would happen before them. If he would tire of me, pass me off to his men, sell me into slavery. The various fears and eventualities played havoc in my mind and I shivered at each new thought. His eyes seemed too truthful to doubt in that moment though, and I took a steadying breath. Still, the words wouldn’t come. So I resigned myself to a curt nod, tightening my lips to keep them from shaking.

A small smile returned to his lips, curling around his tusks. Slowly, he slid his hands up my arms, then put one foot under him, followed by the other. Until he stood over me once more. He slid his hands to my back, and gently pulled me forward into his chest. I was too weak to resist, emotionally and physically, and rested my cheek in the center beneath the small hollow at the bottom of his neck. His scent was a mixture of earth, smoke, leather, and just the smallest tang of man odor buried beneath the labors of his day. His massive arms wrapped around me, surrounding me with his bulk. He flexed, ever so slightly, cocooning me in the warmth of his body. I felt stiff, despite the strange comforting nature of his hug, and still quivered feeling his flesh against mine. One of his hands gently rested on the back of my head.

I stayed as long as I could bear, not sure if for him or for me. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to free myself, but as soon as I started to recoil, he instantly dropped his arms and let me out of his embrace.

“You will see,” He assured me softly, “I will give you anything.”

I shook my head, feeling dazed at the weight of my decision. “I…” I couldn’t help but laugh a little, “I don’t even know what you are…”

“What am?” He smiled warmly, unperturbed. “I am Tlaloc, and you are Shikoba.”

I wondered if it was common for the Tlaloc to find mates outside of their kind. But I decided I didn’t feel up for that question yet. I looked away, not sure what else to say to this strange man who had decided he wanted to marry me, of all things.

“You are tired,” He suggested, then gestured to the pile of furs. “Come. We sleep.”

I looked over at the nest, and really did begin to feel the trials of the day weighing on me. He moved over to one of the baskets lining the wall, digging through it until he pulled out a long piece of leather. Noticing me watching him, he gave me a crooked grin and patted the furs on his stomach.

“I sleep in naked-ness, but I feel you not like much. So I change.”

I felt my ears grow hot at his words, but he didn’t seem to notice. He was already beginning to undo the tie at his hip. I spun my back to him quickly before the furs slipped. I heard the soft sound of his garment falling to the ground. I cleared my throat nervously, and looked around, trying to distract myself.

There was a stump near the bed which had only a few things on it. I made my way over to it quietly and took off my boots slowly. Hearing the sound of his foot falls behind me, I chanced a glance over at Unvar.

His fur armor was gone, revealing his firm stomach and long, thick legs again. But he had modestly wrapped the leather about himself, just barely covering his private parts. The bottom of his ass cheeks peaked out a little as he moved, and I blushed slightly at the sight. Still, the covering was so tiny on his massive body that it was amusing, and I couldn’t help but smile a little. He clambered into the piles and sighed heavily, shuffling until he was settled comfortably into the furs. Thankfully, one fell over his hips in his shuffling, covering up what the leather had missed.

I realized I was staring when I found his eyes waiting by the time I made it up to his face. Quickly, I turned away again, heat rising in my cheeks again. If he cared, he didn’t comment, but I couldn’t bear to look at him for a few moments. I tried to distract myself with the strings of my skirt, but then hesitated. It would be very uncomfortable to sleep as I was, what with the bones of the corset and the itchy collar of the blouse. But the slip underneath… it was very thin. Possibly see-through if it was still damp. I wasn’t sure if it would be much better than being naked.

Of course, he had already seen me naked before, I chided myself softly. A sinking feeling in the base of my spine made me wonder what he would expect of me, laying beside him in the bed. By agreeing to stay (though I had little alternative options) had I agreed that sharing the bed meant far more than simply communal sleeping space?

My fingers shook as I slowly undid the laces and let my skirt slip down. I undid my blouse as well and slipped it off my shoulders. Careful to keep my back to him, I picked them up and placed them on the stump. Finally, it was just the corset and my slip left.

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and found him watching quietly. I swallowed nervously, looking down at my discarded outer clothes. Then back at him.

He seemed suddenly aware of my discomfort, for he shifted, turning his back to me. I resisted the urge to sigh in relief, then slowly undid my corset and placed it with the other things. In nothing more than my shift, which barely came to my knees, I turned back to the bed.

There were certainly enough furs. I wondered if perhaps I could make a second bed by the fire and lay there instead. I moved slowly over to some of the piles of furs and blankets, shuffling through them to find the largest and thickest.

“What are you doing?” He asked over his shoulder.

“I… I thought I might make another bed-”

“Too cold.” He interrupted, shaking his head. He was careful to keep his eyes pointed to the wall of the tent, but I could just make them out over his shoulder. “Sleep here. Come.” I hesitated again. He waited a moment, then rubbed his face. “I promise safe.”

He sounded tired, and I wondered if my timidness was already wearing on his patience. I swallowed nervously again, but slowly shuffled over. Slowly, I crawled up onto the makeshift bed, and carefully settled myself amid the furs. He was right, the bed was much warmer, even than the fire which was already slowing it crackle. But I found I couldn’t relax, staring at his broad, green back laced with scars. I jumped as his hand reached out behind him towards me, offering me a large fur blanket. I took it gratefully, and wrapped it about myself almost up to my chin. It was very soft, and I felt much warmer with it. I couldn’t help but give a soft sigh of pleasure at the sudden feeling of heavy warmth that cocooned my tired body.

Unvar turned slightly at that, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. “Better?”

I offered him a tiny, timid nod, and he rolled onto his back, stretching one bent arm to rest under his head. The motion brought him much closer to me and I held in a tiny gasp, tensing again. But he closed his eyes and sighed deeply. I wondered if he was as tired as I was.

Despite the weight of my exhaustion, I couldn’t help but stare at him. Studying the way his pointed ears met the side of his head, the way his jaw traced to his mouth. His tusks, about the size of my thumbs, his soft looking eyelids and dark lashes. The way his throat moved as he swallowed. The slow rise and fall of his massive chest. I lay bundled up in my furs, staring at him for a little while, curiosity having gotten the better of me for the time being.

“You need something?” His soft, rumbling voice made me jump once more.

Unvar cracked open one eye, looking at me out the corner of it. I shook my head feebly. He closed the eye again, then let out a gentle sigh, shifting to his side and sliding a little closer to me. I tensed, but when his copper eyes opened again, I did not see anything malicious or hungry there and felt my tension ease a little. He pillowed his head with his bent arm, studying me.

“You can touch.”

My eyes widened slightly at this. “Wh.. What?”

“You have not seen Tlaloc before. You have curious. You can touch.” He told me again, nodding to my hand. “Does not bother.”

I shook my head at first, then hesitated. I felt my fingers itch at his proposal, and his copper eyes opened and closed so lazily. Despite that he was at least twice my size, he seemed so still and calm in that moment. I was not so afraid of him. I lifted my hand a little, then stopped. Unvar didn’t move, didn’t even glance at my hand. He even closed his eyes a little more, as if he really was too tired to be bothered.

Haltingly, I reached out towards him. When my fingertips brushed the skin of his jaw, I flinched, pulling them back slightly. But again, I felt the strange tingling desire to see if this strange creature beside me was really there. The terror and fear that had plagued me throughout the day had settled the entire affair into a strange miasma in my mind. It felt unreal. But touching him… Made it all a little more real. And perhaps just a little less frightening. It was only fair, I reasoned silently. He had touched my face before...

I returned my fingertips to his jaw, ever so lightly touching his skin. It was warm, and I smoothed them along his jawline until more of my hand touched him. It was soft too, though I could feel the slight stubble of hair beneath. If I looked closely, I could even see the small black follicles. Feeling braver, I traced his jaw up to his ear, then gently closed my fingers around it. I traced the cartilage with my thumb, feeling the length up to its point. I glanced back at his eyes, but they were closed, and his breathing was deep and smooth. Quietly, I skimmed back towards his temple, then cupped my hand and smoothed it over his cheek. The skin here was firm, taught with health and vigor. I could feel the bone underneath, forming the square jaw and cheekbone. I even dared to trace my hand down to his thick neck, feeling his muscles work beneath my fingers as he swallowed slightly. Down to his shoulders, firm as stone beneath my hand. I lightly skimmed over his clavicle, but stopped short of his chest.

Suddenly shy, I pulled my hand back. I jumped again as his hand moved, catching mine as it retreated. I looked up, and found his eyes open again, studying my face. He drew my hand gently back, and placed it upon the edge of his chest from where I had left off. He pressed it flat against his breast, then slowly guided it down and over to trace the firm muscles there. He had some small black hairs in the crevices between his muscles. They were a little course and wiry, but didn’t retract from the overall smoothness of his skin. He dropped his hand, leaving me to explore as I wanted once more. I hesitated, glancing back up at him. His eyes were almost closed again, but he watched me quietly through his dark lashes.

Still hesitant, I traced my fingertips over his pectoral, then stopped on a particularly large and knotted scar that covered the top right corner, stretching in thin lines toward his shoulder. I traced over the scar tissues a few times, feeling the difference between the smooth untouched skin and the healed skin.

“Warrior from Nkil’in clan,” He told me softly, and I pulled back my hand slightly at his words. “Spear head. With hooks. Mishna ba’lok.”

He hooked the fingers of his free hand to illustrate. I swallowed nervously but lightly touched the scar again. Then I ran my hand over his skin to another, near the base of his neck.

“Dagger. From gunn’hild; Traitor in clan,” He told me, then drew a line with one finger across his throat, “Tried kill.”

Curious despite myself, I moved to another on his shoulder. Three long and thin scars right on the edge. Looking closely, I could see two more faded lines parallel with the others.

“Bear.” He grinned, then patted one of the furs we lay on with a pleased grunt. I couldn’t help a small smile. Even without words, I knew exactly what he was saying.

“...How do you say ‘bear’? In your tongue?” I asked softly, finding myself curious to hear more of the strange language.

He smiled back. “Khour.”

I mouthed the word first, then hesitantly tried it. “..Kh..Kho-ur?”

He nodded, looking a little pleased. I noticed another near his ribs, and traced my fingers over it.

“In battle,” He told me, nodding slightly, “Sword. Niln. Barely moved soon enough.”

“Niln.” I repeated softly. He dipped his head in approval.

Another, near his sternum. He chuckled softly, and his chest rumbled beneath my fingers. I looked back up at his face.

“Ah… Needle? Isht ka’ro. Woman mad at me.”

“Ka’ro.” I echoed quietly. I felt another soft vibration as he grunted affirmation.

My eyes moved from his to the left side of his face. I reached up and traced the thin scar that ran from his temple to his chin. He gave a soft grunt as I ran my fingers along its edge.

“Leather. From... brother of sire,” He seemed to be searching for the right words, “I… take what was not mine. Fil’um hik nun.”

“Fillum ick non,” I tried, “What does that mean?”

“Fil’UM Hik nun,” He corrected gently, “Means… not yours to take.”

I felt my eyes drawn to his tusks next, and hesitantly traced my fingers there. I ran them lightly over his chin, then gingerly over each tusk. I even pushed one finger against the tip. It wasn’t quite so sharp as I thought it might be. But it was thick. I wondered if it was difficult for him to talk around it. I traced my finger down to its base, lingering on his lip momentarily, then slowly following its length with a timid touch.

I felt his hand on my wrist then, gentle and light. For the first time, I didn’t flinch at his touch, but instead looked back up to his eyes. He was watching me, studying my face so quietly. I wasn’t sure what I saw there, some semblance of calm and some warmth I couldn’t quite name.

“Li’un ma shkio...” He murmured softly, and my fingertips on his lips moved with his words.

I hesitated, dropping my eyes away from his gaze shyly. “...What does that mean?”

He traced his fingers lightly over my wrist then, saying nothing for a moment. I drew my hand back slowly, but he followed with his. I found I didn’t mind that they skimmed up my arm. Then he lifted them from my shoulder. Slowly, he reached up and lightly touched my jaw, guiding my gaze back up to his with his thick fingers tucked beneath my chin.

“...means ‘I want ask’,” He replied.

I looked back and forth between his eyes quietly. “...What do you want to ask?”

“Ma shkio... bel kadan…“ He said, then frowned slightly, “But I do not know word.”

“Well… can you show me what it means somehow?”

His fingers, whose hand lingered at my chin, now traced lightly up my jaw until he could bury them in the hair at the base of my neck. Then he leaned forward, closing the space between us, and, ever so gently, pressed his lips against mine.

It surprised me. He had moved so smoothly, with such calm, I hadn’t realized his intent until our lips met. His tusks pressed against my mouth lightly, but his lips were warm, moist, and inviting. My hand went to his forearm, as if to push him away. But I hesitated for some reason, letting the moment escape me.

He pulled back after a few slow breaths, and my lips tingled from the touch.

“Kiss,” I breathed, my voice shaky, “The word is ‘kiss’.”

Unvar gave a small smile, and I felt my heart race a little. “Yes. This word. I want ask for Kiss.”

His hand, which had remained in my hair, slowly untangled itself and brushed the strands back from my face. I left my hand on his arm, suddenly feeling as though I were in a fog.

“Ah… well, you had one then.”

He chuckled softly, and I found I rather liked that sound. The way it seemed to come from deep within his broad chest, and bubbled forth like a distant echo.

“Yes. Had one. Want ask for another kiss.”

My ears burned and I turned my head away. “I…I am tired. I should sleep.”

I felt his gaze still on me, and noticed him nod out of the corner of my eye. He gently withdrew his hand and slid back a little.

“Yes. Long day. Sleep, Kari-anna,” He murmured back, “We have many tomorrows.”

I shifted, slowly rolling to put my back to him. Unable to bring myself to close my eyes knowing he was still right there, but not wanting him to see them still open. I let out my breath slowly and as quietly as I could.

I heard him sigh softly behind me, and felt the bed shift as he rolled to his back again. I turned slightly, even opened my mouth to say something. But nothing felt quite adequate, so I returned to my side.

Kadan, I mouthed quietly, Li’un ma shkio... bel kadan.

My fingers lightly touched my lips, and I closed my eyes.

.....

UPDATE: Part Four Here

#monster boyfriend #orcs #orc boyfriend #OC #li'un ma shkio #romance #budding romance #exophilia #slow burn #kiss

164 notes · View notes

cakelanguage · 4 years ago

Text

Happy Holidays @vanner-och-frander ( GoodMorningMisterFear)! I'm your gifter for the @ignoctgiftexchange :D I hope this has enough fluff to make you feel like a marshmallow :)

You can also read this on AO3

It’s the soft glow of the sun shining through his curtains that had Noctis’ eyes blurrily blinking open. He laid there for a few moments, taking stock of everything and trying to wake up. A comforting weight pressed against his back and another wrapped around his waist to splay across his diaphragm.

Noctis turned his head and peered at Ignis’ slack features, face relaxed with lips parted. The warmth of Ignis’ breath ruffled through his hair and Noctis couldn’t help but bask in the lazy comfort. It wasn’t often that Ignis was still asleep when Noctis woke up, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t take full advantage of it when he did.

Carefully, he managed to wiggle out of Ignis’ hold and clumsily got out of bed. He instantly broke out into goosebumps and whined at the feeling of the biting cold of the wooden floors against his bare feet. It was days like this that Noctis regretted not making himself put on his lounge clothes after he and Ignis had a “night of passion,” as Ignis wanted to call it. But the delicious solace they both sucked up from the skin-to-skin contact kept him from ever following through with the thought.

He stumbled around their bedroom looking for his clothes from the night before but saw hide nor hair of them. Noctis finally spotted the sweater Ignis had been wearing and shrugged, tugging the wool over his mussed hair. The sweater hung down to the middle of his thighs and the delicate stitching felt luxurious against his skin.

He really needed to invest in getting a sweater like this or pilfer one of Ignis’ off his boyfriend permanently.

A small grumble startled Noctis out of his sweater haze and back to his sleeping boyfriend. He giggled quietly as he watched Ignis paw uselessly at the space Noctis used to occupy. Walking back over to Ignis, he pressed a kiss to the man’s temple and moved one of the pillows so that Ignis could hold onto that if he kept searching for Noctis in their bed.

Now to put his plan into action.

Noctis tip-toed to their kitchen and pulled out the book of recipes Ignis had bought for them last Christmas. Each page of the book had some note or another, whether it was an alteration to a recipe or a critique on the recipe itself.

Noctis loved it.

He loved it because Ignis went out of his way to accommodate Noctis’ picky eating. He’d take out ingredients that he knew that Noctis wouldn’t eat and substitute them for another. And if Ignis would warn him before he tried something if Ignis thought he might not like it, but something that he might enjoy if he tried it.

Not every meal was a knockout and some they had to toss because they’d turned out inedible with the adjustments they made to the recipe, but they’d laugh about it and order takeout. It was these moments in the kitchen – when classes and palace’s duties threatened to overwhelm them – with Ignis teaching him how to cook with all the patience of a saint that had butterflies fluttering in his chest and a sappy smile etching across his face.

He dutifully started their coffee machine and thanked the Astrals that Noctis had gotten them the ridiculously expensive one that barely made any noise at all as it began brewing. Ignis made a fuss over his gift but once he’d tasted a cup from the machine he’d come to treasure it. Ebony was still Ignis’ favorite but their coffee machine made a close second.

As the machine chugged away, Noctis turned back to the book and selected a well-loved page: Ulwaat berry muffins with a brown sugar streusel. It sounded fancy, but Ignis had walked him through the recipe multiple times and Noctis knew he could do it by himself.

He wasn’t anything close to an amazing chef, but he’d picked up a thing or two while helping Ignis with meals.

He shuffled around the kitchen, grabbing ingredients and setting them on the counter in no particular order, and heaved the mixer out of its corner. Nabbing an extra bowl, he started the streusel.

He measured out the oats, Cleigne wheat, cinnamon, and salt and double-checked the amount of brown sugar the recipe called for. Three-fourths of a cup was what the recipe called for, but a bit extra wouldn’t hurt. He popped some butter in the microwave and stepped away to grab a spoon.

Noisy pops from the microwave had him scrambling back over to the microwave, whispered curses leaving his mouth. He opened the microwave door and winced at the sight of melted butter splattering the inside. He glanced at the hallway that led to their bedroom and waited to see if he’d woken up Ignis already.

When a half-awake Ignis didn’t come stumbling down the hallway, he turned back to the butter and took it out of the microwave. He’ll clean it later, Noctis told himself as he shut the door and walked back over to his streusel.

From there it went fairly smoothly with only a few snafus when he’d somehow got some of the ingredients on the counter or spilled more vanilla into the batter than he’d meant to. But the batter tasted fine to him so he didn’t think he’d made the muffins inedible. He poured the batter as evenly as he could into their muffin pan and popped them in the oven.

With breakfast baking, he turned back to look at the kitchen. Flour sprinkled on the counter, batter dripping from the spout of the bowl, eggshells tossed carelessly in the general direction of the trashcan. Honestly, Noctis was proud of himself that he’d at least managed not to get anything on the floor.

Now he faced a dilemma.

He could clean his mess but then he’d wake up Ignis for sure. He debated if it was worth it or not before shrugging and grabbing his phone from the charger.

A little King’s Knight was the perfect choice to pass the time. He and Ignis could clean together later. And Ignis wouldn’t be upset about the mess if Noctis brought him coffee and breakfast in bed.

Probably.

By the time the muffins were done, he’d leveled up twice putting him passed Prompto by a few levels which he could tease his best friend about later.

Pulling the muffins from the oven, he made a face. They looked okay, a bit oblong and there were some baking inconsistencies. Some were a little dark while others looked like they still needed to bake for a few more minutes. He pried the best looking ones from the pan with a fork, wincing as pieces stuck to the pan.

Whatever, it was the thought that counted.

Pouring a cup of coffee for both of them, he made sure to add a pinch of sugar in Ignis’ while putting vanilla creamer and sugar in his own. How Ignis could ingest the stuff plain he’d never know but he made sure to get his coffee right.

With a plate of muffins and two full cups of coffee balanced on a tray, Noctis began his trip back to their bedroom. It was a snail’s pace in comparison to how he’d usually walk the distance but he couldn’t drop any of his precious cargo.

He toed open the door and admired his sleeping boyfriend. Noctis was going to have to start waking up before Ignis if it meant getting to see him truly relaxed.

Quietly, he set the tray on Ignis’ side-table and he climbed back in bed, cuddling up to Ignis. He pressed his cold feet against Ignis’ calves and grinned at the furrowed brow he got in response. Two arms wrapped around him and tucked Noctis close against Ignis’ chest.

Ignis let out a pleased hum and burrowed his face in the nest that was Noctis’ hair. Noctis laughed and admired the kiss of a few scattered moles on his boyfriend's chest. He pressed his lips against one of the beauty marks on Ignis’ chest, granting each one with the affection they deserved. With no reaction from Ignis, he started to kiss his way up his boyfriend’s chest to his neck where he worried a small patch of skin at the juncture where Ignis’ shoulder and neck met.

“Noct,” Ignis mumbled.

Noctis blew on the reddening mark. “Iggy,” Noctis purred. He continued kissing his way up to Ignis’ chin when a pair of warm, dry lips met his. He smiled into the kiss and enjoyed the lazy, tender motions of their lips against each other.

They parted and leaned their foreheads together. “Good morning, Noct,” Ignis murmured, eyes sleep heavy and smile warm.

“Morning Iggy.”

Ignis took a few moments to sort himself. “You’re up early.”

“Or maybe you just slept in,” Noctis teased, poking at Ignis’ side.

Ignis chuckled. “Oh is that it?”

“Must’ve worn you out.”

“Well, someone was being insatiable last night and I was doing most of the work.”

“I definitely did some of the work.” Noctis stuck his tongue out at Ignis. “And here I made you breakfast.”

Ignis’ eyes widened for a moment before they settled into twinkling mirth. “You made me breakfast?”

“I made us breakfast,” Noctis corrected, “and coffee.”

At the announcement that coffee was in the vicinity, Ignis maneuvered them so that they were leaning against the headboard. Ignis picked up the tray with an ease that didn’t belay his tiredness and moved it to his lap.

Noctis grabbed his cup and took a small sip and watched as Ignis took the first sip from his, snickering at the blissful face Ignis made when the coffee hit his tongue.

“You always know exactly how I want my coffee,” Ignis praised, pressing a kiss to the crown of Noctis’ head.

Noctis snuggled down to lay his head against Ignis’ shoulder. “It’s not hard to remember besides,” he looked up at Ignis through his lashes, “I know you.”

Ignis made a noncommittal noise as he took another sip. "And I you, Noct."

His face felt warm, whether it was from Ignis' statement or the coffee soothing the cold that had been slowly seeping into him, he didn't know. Noctis sat up and pinched off a piece of one of the muffins, holding it close to Ignis' mouth. "Open up."

Ignis snorted and raised a brow at him. "You wish to feed me?"

"You have to be my taste tester."

"Absolutely, we wouldn't want the chef to have to taste their own food first."

Noctis shrugged. "They tasted good before I baked them," Noctis said.

Ignis gave him a dry look. "We've talked about the dangers of eating the uncooked batter," Ignis drawled as if he'd explained this numerous times before.

He'd only told him three times, Noctis was keeping track.

"Until I get food poisoning from raw cookie dough, I'll keep risking it. Besides it was only a finger full -- just a taste."

The exasperation in Ignis was palpable but he opened his mouth dutifully and ate what Noctis fed him. Ignis chewed methodically, tilting his head as he considered the flavor.

“Well?” Noctis asked impatiently.

“It’s good,” Ignis reassured, taking Noctis’ still outreached hand and kissing his fingers. “Thank you for making me breakfast.”

Noctis grinned. “You make breakfast for me all the time, I want to do that for you when I can.”

“You did quite well, they look much better than your last attempt.”

He nudged Ignis with his elbow with a playful scowl. “I did learn from the best.”

“I didn’t know you were taking lessons,” Ignis jibed.

“I have a private teacher.”

Ignis wrapped an arm around Noctis’ waist and tucked him closer to his side. “Should I be jealous?”

Noctis tilted his head back and laughed. “Nah, I think you’d come to an understanding”

Ignis stared at Noctis’ lips. “We should get up.”

Noctis grabbed their cups and set them on his side table. “I think we’ve earned a day off.”

Humming softly, Ignis set the tray to the side. “Have we now?”

Noctis pressed a chaste kiss against Ignis’ lips and leaned his forehead against Ignis’, looking at the man from beneath his lashes. “Please?”

“I suppose an hour or two more in bed wouldn’t hurt,” Ignis conceded, pulling Noctis down to lay against his chest. “I can’t guarantee more than that.”

“I can be very convincing.”

“Of that, I have no doubt. We’ll eat the rest of breakfast in a little while.”

“Good, I worked hard on it.”

Ignis pet his hair. “And I’m sure the kitchen looks fantastic, right?”

Noctis groaned. “We can clean it later.”

His boyfriend’s chuckles vibrated through his chest. “We’ll clean later then.”

For now, the two could bask in the calm peace that settled over them, exchanging lazy kisses with lidded eyes and whispered endearments against sleep-warmed skin.

#ignoctgiftexchange #ignoct #ignis scientia #Noctis Lucis Caelum #domestic fluff #tooth rotting fluff #ignis x noctis #sleepy cuddles #breakfast in bed #fluff and humor #gift fic #ff15 noctis #ff15 ignis #ffxv #ffxv fic #final fantasy xv #fanfic #my fic

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miracul0us-multishipper · 5 years ago

Text

Welcome to the Back (Part 2)

@a-6-yearold-inside

@crazycookie13o

First Chapter Next Chapter

Marinette’s mood had lightened over the course of the first lessons. The new student seemed to be okay, despite being a little closed off. But given Lila’s extravaganza, she was glad that Felix appeared a bit more rational. And now that they were deskmates, maybe he wouldn’t want to be mean to her once Lila stringed him along.

When the gong announced the end of the lesson, Adrien intercepted her at the door.

“Marinette! Do you have a minute?”

She was still sullen that he’d been so quiet during the seating dilemma, but nodded anyway. How could she refuse these puppy eyes?

“Sure! What is it?”

“Oh, I just wanted to thank you for helping Felix. You’re a great class rep, Marinette.”

Immediately, her face grew warm.

“Y-You think so? Glank you- I mean, Thank you, I’m glad to hear that!”

“I’m just bit worried about Lila” he continued and her heart sank. “She seemed really upset after you shut her idea down.”

She looked away, trying to control her breathing. Lila this, Lila that. Don’t you dare make her life anything other than perfect.

“That was not my intention. I just thought someone should make clear people have their own opinions.”

He beamed.

“That’s so nice of you, really! I’m sure she appreciates it, deep down.” he praised, probably missing her point by lightyears. “But... We don’t want her to get akumatized again, do we? You know how prone she is to Hawkmoth’s influence.”

“She is?”, asked a voice from behind her. Felix has appeared in the door, followed by a smug looking Lila. Apparently, she knew exactly what was going on and was more than happy about it. Well, this time she wouldn’t get what she wanted.

“Yes”, Marinette answered, looking directly at Lila. “As of late, Lila seems to be quite the illusionist as Akuma. I wonder why Hawkmoth always comes back at that.”

She heard Adrien behind her gulp as more of they’re classmates began to crowd around them. To her surprise, Lila gave her a quick smirk before putting on a pitiful face and letting her shoulders drop.

“It’s true”, she lamented. “Hawkmoth has been targeting me a lot, lately. Maybe it’s because... no, of course not.”

“What?” Alya asked readily, her journalistic eagerness shining through. “What is it?”

Lila looked away.

“Well, usually, Ladybug always watches out for me, since I’m her best friend. But I guess she has a lot to do recently, if so many akumas get through to me. Or maybe she’s... maybe she’s just not as dedicated to her job anymore? Who knows?”

Felix next to her frowned.

“You are Ladybug’s best friend? I would’ve thought it was that Chat Noir.”

Lila chuckled and smiled up at him.

“Don’t be silly!” She looked at Adrien. “Chat Noir is her lover.”

In false alarm, she put a hand on her mouth and widened her eyes.

“Oops!”

Alya was on her immediately.

“I knew it! How long have they been dating? Who confessed first? I need details!”

Marinette meanwhile was seething. But Adrien’s reaction put the cherry on top: despite knowing she wasn’t actually Ladybug’s friend, he perked up and got a little closer.

“You really think so?”

“Well, I’m not supposed to tell you that...”, Lila trailed off and Marinette scoffed, “But every friend of mine is a friend of Ladybug, so it should be alright!”

She made eye contact with Adrien.

“Ladybug is in love with Chat Noir. I mean, of course she is, she’d never date a civilian, after all. But she never actually confessed to him, she thinks he doesn’t like her back.”

“So you mean, they’re still pining for each other? How dramatic!”

“Are you really sure about that?”, Adrien went on, his eyes surprisingly hopeful. Marinette nudged him in the side, trying to remind him of Lila’s history.

“Well...”, Lila said with a mischievous smirk, “that’s actually something I know from watching them closely. You know that Ladybug likes to keep things professional, right, Adrien?”

He nodded hesitantly.

“And if she were in a relationship with Chat Noir, that might look highly unprofessional, right?”

Adrien nodded, a bit quicker this time. Marinette realized what Lila was doing: by letting him confirm every true step of her lie, she legitimated the result, even if it was as absurd as Ladybug and Chat Noir being in love.

“But then again,” Lila continued, “She does flirt with him at every opportunity, doesn’t she?”

“She’s right!”, Alya spouted. “They banter, they land on top of each other all the time, were totally cuddling in Glaciator, and Ladybug even kissed him, twice!”

“But that was both times under the influence of an Akuma!”, Marinette tried to reason, to no avail. Lila was prepared.

“Interesting, right? Every time the chance presents itself, she goes with the most romantic solution she can think of.”

“That’s not- Ladybug isn’t- It just doesn’t make sense!”

She was going to lose her mind, and Lila seemed well aware. Innocently she leaned her head to the side and looked pensive.

“Marinette, could it be... that you’re jealous?”

She smirked when Marinette’s jaw dropped.

“Are you in love with Chat Noir?”

“What?! No!”

Adrien looked at her in confusion.

“But didn’t you confess to h-“

“Adrien!”

“Wait a sec, Marinette confessed to Chat Noir? When?! And why didn’t you tell us, girl?!”

“Yeah, that would’ve been so important for the Ladyblog!”

“I thought you told us everything.”

“I...”, Marinette stammered, officially backed into a corner, “I-It was nothing like that! And how do you even know that?!”

Adrien shrank.

“I, uhm, Chat Noir... told me?”

A long, frustrated sigh interrupted the heated conversation and Felix pushed through the students cornering Marinette. With an annoyed glance at Adrien, he shook his head and stepped next to Marinette.

“If you are done gossiping about heroes that apparently are personally friends with everybody at this school,” he scoffed, “Marinette here was planning on showing me around.”

Surprised she looked up at him, and she was not the only one.

“But we were just-“, Alya tried, but Felix left no room for discussion.

“-talking about things that don’t interest me in the slightest. Maybe ask Agreste if he has any other friends whose privacy he can breach, Marinette is currently busy. I’d like to see this school now.”

Without another glance at anybody he strode onwards, obviously expecting Marinette to follow. She didn’t hesitate for a second, desperate to flee.

“Maybe I could show you around instead?”, Lila offered from behind them. “That way Marinette and Alya could finish their-“

“Not interested”, Felix interrupted, and Marinette gaped at him in awe.

As soon as they were out of earshot, she caught up to him.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely, “I really owe you something.”

Felix only threw her short look before staring straight ahead again.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I was simply bored by their petty gossip and decided I could return your favor from earlier. We’re even now.”

“Oh”

They walked in silence for a moment, until a small, satisfied grin crept into his face.

“Plus,” he said, “I couldn’t waste a chance to call Agreste out on his bullshit.”

“You know each other?”

“We’ve met.”

That answer was... interesting. Deciding not to press the matter, she looked ahead again.

“Well, Thank you anyway. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“Cried, probably. People tend to react with tears to uncomfortable situations.”

She snorted.

“Nah. I’m more the type to start yelling.”

“Plausible. It seems to be the only effective measure with these kind of students.”

She shrugged, trying to stay positive.

“They’re not bad, usually. They just get carried away from time to time.”

He rolled his eyes.

“How comforting.”

“Don’t worry, there’s... calmer people too.” She has an idea. “Do you want to see the art room? Nathaniel and Marc should be there right now.”

He hesitated.

“You don’t actually have to show me around. I was just providing an opportunity for your escape.”

“I know.”, she smiled. “And now I’m providing you with one, in case you ever need it.”

With that, she walked ahead towards an open door. He watched her for a moment, before sighing and following her.

“He was right, I shouldn’t have pried.”, Alya admitted remorsefully. “Especially not in front of everyone.” Lila forced herself to look understanding. If she wanted to keep Dupain-Cheng in line, she had to isolate her from her support system and Alya played a crucial part in that. Her boyfriend would probably tag along, and Adrien would be docile as long as she was smart about this.

“It’s not your fault. If Marinette had told you from the start, this wouldn’t have happened. You’re her best friend after all! You have the right to know what’s going on in her life.”

She frowned.

“Did you have any arguments recently?”

“No, why?”

“Nothing, I... I’m just worried she doesn’t want to be that close to you anymore.”

Alya’s eyes widened.

“What? Where’d you get that idea? We are BFFs!”

Lila shrugged.

“It’s probably nothing, you’re right.”

She didn’t have to elaborate, Alya was already hooked. It didn’t take a minute for doubt to settle in.

“Seriously, Lila, why do you think that?”

“Well... I don’t know her as well as you, of course, but she’s been acting a little distant lately. First, she’s angry at you when we changed the seats, even though we did it because I can’t hear well. Then, she keeps secrets from you, and just now, she refused to sit with you. Mysterious, don’t you think? I wonder what else she’s hiding from you...”

Alya slouched, upset. It was almost too easy.

“You’re right...”, she murmured defeatedly. “And just now, she ran away from me as soon as Felix appeared...”

That reminded her of something.

“I’ll give you some space now.”, Lila announced. “Do you mind if I head back to the classroom? I forgot to take my meds, and if I wait too long, my hearing might get even worse.”

Of course Alya didn’t object and soon, Lila was back in their classroom. Alone.

Perfect.

Careful not to cause any mess that might give her away later, she went to the last row.

Felix’ bag was an old school leather briefcase, probably worth more than her entire wardrobe. It’s clasp however was as easy to open as any other bag’s.

Curiously she looked inside. The interior was made up of fine, grey fabric, as were the pocket for his thermos and his wallet. She peaked inside to check his ID and noted his birthday. He owned at least ten different ink pens and pencils, so she took out the most fancy one and shoved it into her pocket. She cursed as a bit of ink got on her fingers, but it wasn’t bad enough to deter her.

Next were the books. Two were regular school books, but one seemed to be a calendar. She skimmed it.

Photo shoots, violin lessons, not that different from Adrien’s.

(She’d pickpocketed his last week already, but since he was escorted everywhere by his bodyguard, it wasn’t of much use to her.)

She took some photos, just in case, from his events to his contacts. His mother’s phone number would be useful, and his assistant was convenient as well. Just when she was about to put it back and close the briefcase, something caught her eye. A small, plain notebook, the only thing that didn’t match with his bag.

Intrigued she opened it. Was it some sort of diary?

She wasn’t that lucky, of course, but her find was valuable nonetheless. It was... poetry.

Short poems, sometimes entire ballads and calligraphy practices, all in a neat, orderly handwriting.

She read the first thing that caught her eye. And the second. And the third.

It was mesmerizing. His words were so artful, so skilled and eloquent, but still fascinatingly natural. She had to force herself to stop reading before the bell would ring. Hastily, she took as much photos as she could, before putting it back.

After short contemplation however, she changed her mind and placed it in Marinette’s pink backpack. That pigtailed brat was already far too close to Felix, and she couldn’t afford her ruining her credibility beforehand.

Satisfied with herself, she left the room and scrolled through her phone. Felix would be hard to crack, no doubt. He wasn’t naive like Adrien, and he didn’t bother with politeness if he didn’t like someone. She wouldn’t be able to use social norms or peer pressure on him. But his family’s brand was internationally known, full of prestige and their monetary worth exceeded the Agreste’s by far. Felix Leanne might be the best (and most handsome) opportunity she would ever get in her life.

She clutched her phone a little tighter.

And the one with the greatest personal allure.

- - -

To be continued

#miramu writes #welcome to the back #wttb #miraculous ladybug #mlb #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #felix leanne #felinette fanfic #felinette month #ml felix

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nikibogwater · 4 years ago

Text

Desperation and Desire--A Mandalorian fanfic

“Desperation made you near-sighted, made you clumsy. It was imperative to his survival that he never give in to desperation.

Even knowing all of this, right now, he couldn’t deny that he would kill to be out of this storm.”

After a disastrous day, Din and the Child have a moment of bonding.

Very special thanks to @poetryinmotion-author for beta reading for me!

Read on AO3

Or below the cut:

Din Djarin liked to think that it took a lot to make him truly desperate. He was used to living on the edge, forgoing common comforts, working with whatever raw hand fate dealt him. As a Mandalorian, he was trained to pack away his emotions in a tight little box and stuff them in a distant corner of his heart where they couldn’t affect his decisions. Desperation made you near-sighted, made you clumsy. It was imperative to his survival that he never give in to desperation.

Even knowing all of this, right now, he couldn’t deny that he would kill to be out of this storm.

The somewhat sardonic part of him registered the irony of his situation; a Mandalorian, accustomed to harsh living, brought to the brink of desperation because of a little moisture. Though in his defense, this wasn’t just a little moisture. This was sheets of driving rain, pelting him mercilessly like bullets, creeping into every crevice of his armor, soaking him down to his aching bones. This was explosions of thunder that rammed against his brain like sledgehammers and sent trembles down his spine and into his stomach. This was misery incarnate. Yet for all that, he might have been able to bear it if it weren’t for the infinitely precious bundle he clutched against his chestplate, fruitlessly trying to shield it from the storm.

The Child didn’t complain. He just lay there in Din’s arms, wrapped in his soaking wet cape, one tiny hand gripping the top of his cuirass as he shivered violently. That almost made it worse, somehow; the fact that the little one didn’t scream or even whimper, just accepted this misery with resigned silence, as if he didn’t realize that he deserved better, that Din should have taken better care of him, should have kept him safe, should have--

He stopped that line of thought short, focusing instead on the wet slap of his boots against the muddy ground. His entire existence had narrowed to a single point now: get the kid somewhere warm. He couldn’t think about their botched mission, about the Imperial agent who had lured him here with false promises of information on the child’s species, who had led him right into a trap that he really should have seen coming, who very nearly succeeded in killing Din and taking the Child. He couldn’t think about the fact that he was failing the one task the Armorer had given him in regards to his foundling, that he was pathetically ill-equipped and unprepared for such a responsibility. Get the kid somewhere warm. That was all he could do right now. Yet even that simple undertaking was nearly proving to be too much for him.

The tiny moon they had landed on was only sparsely populated, and lacked the amenities of a more well-visited planet, such as an inn or a cantina. The Razor Crest was a mile beyond the tiny farming village the Mandalorian was trudging through now, and with the mud sucking on his boots with every step, he couldn’t say how long it would take him to get back there. The Child shuddered against his chest and Din pressed him closer, the claws of desperation sinking deeper into his heart.

*****

By the time he was finally trudging up the ramp into the Razor Crest, Din felt like a dead man walking. The little one was shivering harder than ever, and had developed a low fever. The Mandalorian was quick to unwrap him from his cloak, wincing behind his helmet at the unhappy whimper the Child gave as he was exposed to the cold air. “Yeah, I know,” he murmured, voice thick with exhaustion. “Just hang on.” He ripped his blanket off of his bunk and swaddled the Child in it, finding comfort in the repetitive action of tucking the numerous thick folds around him. The Child settled into the blanket with a quivering sigh.

Nearly stumbling over his own feet, Din pried open one of his storage crates and fished out a water packet. He pulled off his helmet and let it drop to the floor, then ripped the cap of the water ration off with his teeth and held the spout up to the Child’s lips. He fussed for a few seconds, clearly more interested in taking a nap than in rehydrating, but after a bit of coaxing, he clamped down on the nipple and began gulping water like an overheated Blurrg. Hopefully it would be enough to bring his fever down. The packet was sucked dry after a few moments, and the little one was already looking a little less flushed. He whimpered again when Din set him down in his bassinet.

“Just a minute,” Din rasped, fumbling with the clasps of his armor with trembling fingers. Now that the kid was taken care of, the Mandalorian could finally register just how cold and wet he was himself. As the desperation faded, his brain became foggy, and it took him a moment longer than he would have liked to remember where he kept his spare clothes. The Child continued to make soft, unhappy noises as Din stepped into the ‘fresher to change. He emerged looking rumpled, but at least he was dry. He regarded the pile of armor he had left in the corner. He didn’t like being without it; there was a vulnerability that came with being comfortable, and with the pair of them being hunted every minute of their lives, vulnerable was the last thing Din wanted to be. But he already felt like each of his limbs weighed ten pounds, and the thought of piling his armor back on made his aching bones weep in protest. He sighed, ran a hand through his still-damp hair, and left the beskar where it was.

The Child was fussing and struggling against his cocoon, trying to free his arms and reach out to Din. The sight of him looking so miserable brought a tight feeling to Din’s throat, and he had to swallow a few times before it would go away. You should be doing better, he thought as he lifted the little one into his arms again. This shouldn’t be happening to him. He brushed the thought from his mind, instead focusing on the sensation of the Child curling into the crook of his neck. Din didn’t often feel things without the barrier of armor and clothing. He was never quite sure what to make of the warm, comfortable feeling that nestled in his chest on the rare occasions he could feel the Child against his skin. The little one settled against him and fell silent, his tiny breaths brushing against Din’s exposed collarbone. Din swallowed and collected his scattered thoughts before ascending the ladder into the cockpit, where he activated the ground security protocols.

He collapsed into the pilot’s chair with a groan, leaning back as far as he could. The blanket had fallen loose and was pooling in his arms and lap. He had enough presence of mind to make sure the youngling was still tucked underneath it before he tipped his head back and let his eyes close. Logic told him he should go back down into the hold and crawl into bed. But his screaming muscles had finally fallen silent the moment he sunk into his seat and he had no desire to move and risk setting them off again. He felt the Child disentangle a hand from the blanket and grip the thin material of his shirt, as though anchoring himself in place. In spite of his exhaustion, Din found himself lifting his other arm to settle his hand against the baby’s back, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing as the trembling slowly lessened.

“...I’m sorry,” Din whispered, a distant part of himself wondering where his usual inhibition had gone while the rest of him was too tired to care. “It wasn’t supposed to go like that. I’m sorry I keep messing things up for you. I wish you had someone better.” He was awake enough to know that that was only half-true. Din did want better for the Child, but he didn’t want that to be someone else. Din wanted to be what the little one deserved. He wanted to feel worthy of being called the baby’s buir.

The hand gripping his shirt kneaded against his chest gently, and a warm, foreign presence crept into his mind.

Want you, it said. Want you. The Child had done this before a few times, reaching out with feelings rather than words. Most of the time, Din was too focused on something else, too anxious and distracted to hear it. But lying here in the quiet of the cockpit, being lulled into a sort of half-sleep by the sound of the rain hitting the viewport, Din could feel the little one’s presence whispering in the back of his head. He had long since gotten past feeling unsettled by it. Now he was simply left with a quiet and almost humbling awe. He swallowed hard as the presence shifted, and want began to morph into love, wrapping around his mind like an embrace.

“I...” His voice hitched, whether from emotion or weariness, he couldn’t tell, but he pressed on. “...I want you too.”

The Child cooed softly and pressed against his neck, shifting for a moment to get comfortable. Din adjusted the blanket around him, sighing as he felt the soft fine hairs on top of the baby’s head tickle his chin. With the warmth of the child nestled against his heart and the warmth of the little one’s presence in his mind, he soon found himself drifting off.

#star wars #the mandalorian #fanfiction #soft mandadlorian #here be feels #thank you for reading

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sky-scribbles · 5 years ago

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Kaas City shines in the rain.

The Republic news always shows it as grim and forbidding, endlessly smothered by floods. But anyone who’s lived here knows the city was built to be beautiful in a downpour. Gutters made of strengthened glass, refracting light into shining patterns as the water courses through them; funnels and spouts that catch the rain it trickles down buildings, channelling it into fountains.

Lana shines in the rain, too. But then, Lana always shines.

Neyna doesn’t bother to hide her smile as she leads Lana out onto the balcony of her apartment. This feels like the right place to talk: appropriately dramatic, what with the drumming of the rain on the canopy above their heads, and the city a shimmering artwork all around them. And here, she gets to see Lana in the light of the city. See the highlights and shadows thrown over her face. It’s a breathless experience – even though her robes are soaked and her hair’s sticking to her face – and Neyna very badly wants to kiss her.

She wonders if Lana has noticed her repeated glances towards her lips. Probably. Hopefully.

‘You didn’t have to come here in this downpour,’ Neyna says, leaning against the parapet. ‘Or if you did, you could have taken a taxi with a roof.’

‘I took the first one I saw as soon as I learned you were home.’ Lana smiles, and stars, Neyna will never get over what that does to her insides. ‘I wanted to see you as soon as I could. Besides, you didn’t have to buy me flowers, either.’

She’s still holding them, a explosion of amber-coloured petals – which, Neyna is delighted to see, match her eyes perfectly. ‘I did, really. It seems like the least kind of apology I can make for apparently-dying on you. And for taking so long to let you know I was alive.’

Lana is silent for a moment, her fingers twining around the flower stems. Then she says, ‘I missed you.’

Thunder crashes somewhere, and Neyna’s stomach clenches. The clouds hide the view of Zakuul’s blockade, ships in the thousands hanging above Dromund Kaas’s turbulent sky. She thinks of how those ships dropped out of nowhere, how she ran in a panicked dash to escape the Knights and droids that poured from them. Months spent dodging skytroopers as she battled towards home. Nights in cramped foxholes, lightsabre clutched to her chest like a child’s toy, thinking, Lana would know what to do. Lana would have made it home by now. I wouldn’t be anywhere near this scared if Lana could just be here with me –

She swallows, and her fingers clench over the edge of the balcony wall. ‘I missed you too.’

‘No. I –’ Lana’s voice catches in a way Neyna has only heard from her once before, when she was huddled on the ground on Ziost after trying to fight Master Surro. Blood in her hair, blood across her face. So much of it.

Neyna pushes the memory away, and focuses on the way Lana moves as she trails a fingertip over the edges of one of the flowers. Focuses on her voice. ‘I missed seeing you come into work with paint stains on your arms. I missed seeing you play with that bad-tempered kell drake of yours. I hated relying on stealth generators because I didn’t have you to cloak me with the Force. I hated sensing the empty space where you were meant to be at my back. Even –’ She stops, closing her eyes for a moment. ‘Even the Force felt wrong without you around. I won’t feel that again.’

Neyna steps closer. ‘You won’t have to.’

Lana doesn’t say anything. But she smiles. And there’s silence for a few seconds, broken by the sound of rain clattering on the canopy and on the streets and on a million artworks made to catch the water.

There’s no need to say anything more, Neyna decides. She and Lana both know what’s between them, it’s rippling across their Force bond with every second. How unnecessary words seem, and how foolish all those hesitations and missed chances feel, now the entire galaxy is going to change. Now they need to leave this shining city, leave the Empire. Now each of them is the other’s only still point.

Another sound joins the rain: Lana’s fingers drumming on the balcony in a very restless, un-Lana-like way. ‘I suppose we should probably talk about –’

Neyna can’t help the smirk that steals onto her face. ‘About the messages you sent me while I was missing? Your dramatic declaration of love?’

Lana looks equal parts annoyed and awkward, and Neyna shouldn’t be as amused by that as she is. But everything inside her feels too bright and warm right now, and she’s felt that way ever since she read Lana’s last message. My love, Lana called her, and Neyna cried, clutched the datapad until her fingers hurt, laughed in a way she hadn’t since the Eternal Empire came, then cried some more.

The sound of Lana’s voice breaks in on her thoughts. ‘We don’t need to talk about it now if you don’t want to. You’ve had a hard few months, and things are about to change a great deal. And you’ve never exactly made your feelings clear –’

‘I haven’t?’ The words turn into incredulous laugh. ‘Maybe I never said it in so many words, but – stars, Lana, didn’t I make my feelings clear when I said I’d walk through fire if you asked me to? When I gave up my own life essence to heal you on Ziost? When I forced myself to live when it was me against the whole Eternal Empire, just so I could find my way back to you?’ That bright feeling is growing stronger, and Neyna decides to follow where it leads. ‘Then let me make my feelings abundantly clear, Lana Beniko.’

And she steps forward and –

And she kisses Lana.

Finally.

It’s almost laughably easy, after all those months of watching Lana and wanting Lana and saying nothing. Take her face in both hands and lean in, find Lana meeting her halfway, pull her in close and bunch fingers into her hair and don’t let go, oh Force, don’t let go. Feel their bond in the Force flare up like an explosion, all of Lana’s surprise and delight and wonder hitting her in a punch. And something deeper. Something hot and fierce that’s both hers and Lana’s, something that makes Neyna hold on even tighter. Linger a little longer.

Lana’s eyes stay closed as Neyna moves back. Her lips twitch into a smile. ‘You’re squashing the flowers.’

Neyna pries them from her hands and set them down on the rim of the balcony. ‘You can collect them later.’

Because she’s not stopping at one kiss, not when she’s wanted this for more than a year, not when the reflections from the city walls are dancing on Lana’s face. And Lana’s eyes are open and it should be illegal to have eyes so vividly amber, and oh, Neyna is lost now if she wasn’t already, if she wasn’t the first time Lana ever smiled at her.

Neyna finds she’s very, very all right with being lost.

Because kissing Lana again and again is like the shock of a static spark from metal, the rich aftertaste of alcohol, the thrill of hearing music rise to a crescendo. It’s electric and it’s hungry and it’s joy in its rawest form, and there’s not a metaphor in the universe that’s strong enough right now. They told her back on Csilla that she would corrupt anything that touched her – and here she is with the most beautiful creature in the galaxy in her arms, and she’s laughing as she breaks the kiss, laughing with the triumphant glee of it.

So she nearly misses what Lana says. ‘Perhaps we should go inside.’

‘Must we?’ Neyna smiles the words against Lana’s lips. ‘You look beautiful in the rainlight.’

‘Rainlight? This is why I – ’ Lana doesn’t finish the sentence, just leans forward to kiss Neyna again. Soft. Warm. ‘I’ve never met anyone who sees the world the same way you do. Always seeing beauty.’

‘I know,’ Neyna says, looking at Lana in the least subtle way she can manage, and Lana laughs again. ‘But maybe you’re right. Maybe we should go inside. Somewhere nice and private.’

She would like to add, because I want you to myself and I want you as close as I can get you and quite honestly, I just want you and I have for so long. But she settles for grinning, a grin that’s definitely too smug, and Lana lets out a huff. ‘You’re insufferable.’

Neyna just keeps grinning, because she saw a familiar edge creep into Lana’s eyes. A look that says she’s seeing a challenge. Accepting it. And Lana can’t find her that insufferable anyway, because she keeps kissing Neyna even as they step across the doorway, not stopping as Neyna leads her to her room, only stepping back when Neyna turns the light down to a soft golden glow with a flick of her hand. Stars, she loves being a photokineticist. She turns back to Lana, and –

Oh.

There’s no awkward restlessness in Lana’s face now, no hesitation. The glow of her eyes in this lighting is downright ferocious, and Neyna feels her insides jolt so violently that she has a vague feeling that they might not even be in her body anymore.

Lana’s hand closes around the front of her robe. Pulls her close. Closer still. Close enough to slip Neyna’s scarf off with a single twist and hook purposeful fingers into the front of her robes.

‘I am done,’ Lana hisses, ‘with having distance between us.’

Which is absolutely fine, as far as Neyna is concerned.

And very soon there’s no distance between them at all.

#swtor #swtor fanfiction #lana beniko #lana beniko romance #sith inquisitor #oc: arn'eyn'arethua #otp: vibrancy #*slow claps* FINALLY #why did it take so long you idiots #but i think it was worth the wait :)#(also neyna is using she/her pronouns bc she's genderfluid #in case anyone is confused by the change)#sky's writing #does this need a tag for lemons? lmk

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faveficarchive · 5 years ago

Text

Up in the Air: Part 6

Book Two of That Healing Touch Series

By K.Darblyne

Pairing: Xena/Gabrielle

Rating: Mature

Synopsis: Garrett is five months in to her fellowship, and she and Danni are trying to change the game even more, all the while strengthening their bond.

The last thing that Danni wanted to do was to leave Garrett’s side. Slowly she slipped her hand out of the surgeon’s as the car slowed to a stop in front of the Hospital.

Karen turned to view the occupants of the rear seat. "You two going to be alright to drive home?"

"Yeah, if you want I could drop you off at your door." Rosie chimed in. Her eyes searched the rearview mirror for any indication of acceptance to her proposal.

"No," Garrett cleared her throat. "I have to check on my patient. Thanks for the offer Rosie."

"Hey, Doc, I don’t care what they asked you today, we’re still friends, right?"

The surgeon nodded her head slowly and then got out of the car. She couldn’t stand to be confined by the vehicle any longer and needed to be out in the open, free without any constraints. Garrett got out and headed into the lobby of the building, so thought of as home.

"Thanks, Rosie." Danni scurried across the seat and stood outside the door, ready to close it. "She’s had a tough day. I think it’s going to take some time for her to get it all together again. I’ll get her home, don’t worry."

The nurse closed the rear door of the car and followed the surgeon’s path.

There was a moment or two of silence in the car before either of the women spoke.

Rosie rolled her eyes then whistled a few notes slightly off key. "So, do you think Garrett is gay?"

"The only one that can answer that is Garrett. How about I let you be the one to ask her?" Mom stared at the driver of the car, challenging her to cross paths with the already emotionally charged woman.

"ME?" Rosie grabbed tightly onto the steering wheel and began shaking her head. "Don’t make no difference to me. She’s not my type anyway."

"Didn’t think you were a fool either, Rosie." Karen winked. "Either way, our Doc’s in good hands with Danni." The older nurse pried herself out of the front seat and closed the door of the car. She waved as Rosie pulled out into the flow of traffic. ‘God, Danni, I hope you get the answer you’re looking for.’

***

Once inside the building, the old façade of the stoic surgeon was pulled in place. The air of arrogance that accompanied it was evident by the aggressiveness displayed in her walk. Reaching the information desk in the lobby, Garrett picked up the house phone and called directly into the Intensive Care Unit that she had admitted Chris to earlier that morning. After a few brief words with Chris’s nurse, the phone was replaced on its cradle and Garrett charted her course for the elevators.

"Gar, wait up!" Danni’s short legs worked double time in an effort do so. The nurse finally reached her as they stepped onto the elevator together. "Is Chris alright?"

Garrett nodded her response, keeping her thoughts to herself.

"I’m sorry for what happened today. You didn’t deserve to be verbally battered by that…" Danni found herself becoming embittered with her resentment of the defense lawyer. "Why I should have just…"

Garrett turned a weary eye at the nurse, "Danni getting yourself thrown out of court would have done nothing to stop him. I’m a survivor, don’t you know that by now?"

"But it didn’t make it right, what he did, I mean."

"No, I agree but it wouldn’t have stopped him either. He had a job to do, I was the one in his way." Garrett shrugged her shoulders. "It doesn’t matter anyhow."

"Doesn’t matter! Doesn’t matter, it matters to me and it should matter to you, too." The nurse was letting go of some pent up steam.

"It’s over, Danni." Blue eyes looked into green letting the calm after the storm penetrate the blonde. "It’s over." Her words were but a whisper that gave way to the sound of the elevator doors opening on the ninth floor and the tall woman stepped out onto the floor.

"Gar, I thought you were going to check on Chris?" Danni looked puzzled. "Isn’t she in the ICU on the Fifth floor?"

"Yes, but the best medicine in the world for her, is here on the Ninth Floor."

"Gar, pharmacy is on the…" Then it hit Danni. "This is the observation floor. You’re going to take Marie down to see her, aren’t you?"

The surgeon’s eyebrow rose. "I always thought that you were a smart nurse." Garrett let the corners of her mouth turn upward. "First I’m going to check her out and discharge her. Then, I’ll take her to see Chris."

The petite woman smiled. "Mind if I tag along?"

"No, not at all." The surgeon turned and started down the hall. "I was kind of hoping that you would."

Danni fell in step as they continued down the hall to Marie’s room. The blonde wondered what had gotten into the surgeon, but thought it best not to ask.

"You seem to have a pretty good rapport with her, perhaps you should go in first." Garrett stopped outside the door to Marie’s room. "I’ll go to the nurse’s station and get her discharged."

"Okay, but what should I tell her?"

"You’ll know what to say, you always do." Garrett let the lopsided smile come forth for the first time all day, then went about her duties, leaving Danni standing alone at Marie’s door.

Knocking gently first, Danni entered. "Hey!" She smiled at the woman sitting in the bed. "Care for a little company this evening?"

Marie’s face brightened immediately, seeing who it was. "Nurse Danni, come on in." She looked past the blonde and waited for a moment before speaking again. "You didn’t bring anyone with you? I was hoping you might."

"If you’re talking about Gar, I did. She’ll be in after she gets your discharge papers going."

"Discharge? I’m being let go?"

"Yeah, this is only a 23 hour observation unit. We kept you here just to make sure that nothing was missed last night. Besides, with the blood that you lost it was a good idea to keep an eye on you for a while." Danni studied the face of the older woman. Her hazel eyes darted back and forth in a worried motion. "Marie, is something wrong?"

"Nothing, really. It’s just that I didn’t want to be at home without Chris."

"Hmmm…I think that we might be able to get you in to see her. How’s that?"

"You could? That would be great." Her mood definitely perked up at the possibility of seeing her lover. "Will it be alright?"

"Gar, will make it alright." Danni winked and walked over to the closet in the room. "Let’s see about getting you dressed to leave. What do you say?"

The nurse opened the closet door revealing nothing but empty hangers. "Well, looks like you might just have to stay here until morning with nothing to wear but that "air-conditioned" gown."

"Okay, Marie. You’re all set to get out of here." Garrett came bounding into the room. She was excited about getting the two women back together. "I’ve taken care of the paperwork and all you’ll have to do is sign them."

"Thank you, when can I see Chris?" Marie got up off the bed in anticipation of leaving.

"Whoa, wait a minute. Let me get a wheelchair first." The surgeon motioned her to sit back down. "You lost a lot of blood yesterday, don’t go getting up that fast."

"I’ll be fine once I see Chris."

"Gar, we got a little problem here." Danni motioned toward the empty closet.

"Hmmm…I see." She thought for a moment then held up an index finger. "I’ll be right back." Then as fast as she said it, she was gone.

The nurse just shook her head in total amazement of her friend as a smile slowly stretched across her face.

"She is a beautiful woman. You’re very lucky to have her as a friend." Marie sat watching Danni begin to blush.

"Well, she is fun to be around when there’s nothing pressing that needs her attention."

"I can see that. Well, speak of the devil."

Garrett entered the room with a set of O.R. Scrubs in her hand. "Well, they’re not a brand name, but at least you won’t feel a draft." She handed them over to Marie. "I took a guess on the size. If they don’t fit, I’ll…"

"Thank you, I’m sure that they will be fine." She held them up and measured them against her body. "Yep, couldn’t have picked better if I did it myself." Marie headed toward the bathroom. "I’ll go change."

Danni waited until Marie had closed the door before she pulled Garrett toward the hall. "Gar, I think she really doesn’t want to leave without Chris."

The surgeon puckered her lips and thought for a moment with her index finger tapping on them. "I have an idea. Let me go check out Chris myself. I’ll meet you two up there."

"Okay, but what are you going to do?"

"You’ll see." The tall surgeon winked and took off down the hall.

***

By the time that Danni had wheeled Marie to the ICU, a good twenty minutes had passed since she last set eyes on the surgeon. Stopping at the entrance to the ICU, the nurse picked up the courtesy phone and spoke to the nurse at the desk. Marie watched as Danni’s brow crinkled with lines as she listened to the voice over the receiver.

Starting to worry, the newly released patient fidgeted in her seat. "What’s wrong? Is something wrong with Chris?" The woman’s voice was full of concern.

"No, it seems that Dr. Trivoli thinks that it’s time to move Chris out of the ICU." Danni hung up the phone. "She’s in there ordering everybody around to get your friend moved. They want us to wait and accompany Chris to her new room."

"That’s good isn’t it?"

"Very good." Danni smiled and patted the woman’s shoulder.

No more than ten minutes passed by when the automatic doors of the ICU sprang into action. Danni instinctively pulled Marie’s wheelchair out of the way, knowing what to expect from the demanding surgeon. Marie’s mouth dropped open at the sight. There, pushing the bed herself was Garrett Trivoli. Her mouth spouted off orders as she moved ever-forward stopping for nothing and no one in her path. Danni hid her eyes and chuckled at the sight of the Charge Nurse from the ICU running after her, demanding to know want kind of medicine couldn’t be given in her ICU. The blonde nurse just shook her head as she listened to the surgeon’s reply.

"I told you before," Garrett’s strong voice bellowed, "it can’t be given in your ICU and I’m taking her to someplace that it can."

"I’ll…I’ll…" the flustered nurse was becoming winded.

"You seem to forget who the doctor is here. It’s me and I’m doing what is best for my patient. End of story." Garrett stopped only long enough to cast an evil eye at the ensuing nurse. "Do I make myself clear?" The surgeon’s eyebrow rose nearly into her hairline.

The Charge Nurse skidded to a stop. "Clear, yes, perfectly clear, Doctor Trivoli." She turned around and headed back into the unit, muttering as she did.

"I heard that, Nurse." The surgeon yelled over her shoulder. "The "R" for my middle initial does not stand for Royalpainintheass."

Danni and Marie could hear a muffled scream coming from the unit as the doors closed sealing the unit off from the outside world and found it impossible to keep from laughing.

"She is a card, I’ll say that."

Danni smiled, nodding her head as she started to follow the surgeon and bed ahead of her. "That, she is."

***

The reuniting of the couple was a tender scene to watch as each one greeted the other with whispered words and loving touches. Marie stood, bending over to give a gentle kiss to Chris’s forehead then sat back down letting her hand nestle into her lover’s hand. Just the idea of them being together was the best medicine of all for the both of them. Their faces brightened and the worry lines eased from around Marie’s eyes. They were home with each other and that was exactly what they both needed.

"Chris, you look so pale, I…"

"Now, Marie, you start that babying me and I’ll get Dr. Trivoli to take me back to that ICU." The skinny woman in the bed winked at her lover. "I understand that it was your fault that I got the best damn surgeon in the building to work on me. Thanks, Marie." Her voice softened and she brought Marie’s hand to her mouth and placed a gentle kiss upon it. "I love you."

Marie stood there like a schoolgirl and blushed at the blatant display of affection. The words were as welcome as the touch of her lover.

Garrett and Danni stood by the door mesmerized by the scene that they had brought about. Finally, Danni whispered, "Chris seems to be looking better already."

"Yeah, I guess that handholding is the best medicine that I could have ordered for her." Garrett moved her hand to Danni’s and squeezed it gently. "Providing that it’s with the right person, of course."

The nurse looked up at the tall surgeon and smiled. "You’ve got that right." Danni returned the squeeze with one of her own and turned for the door. "Let’s give them their privacy."

Garrett nodded and followed the blonde, closing the door after they were out. "I’ll just tell the nurses that if Chris needs anything, she’ll ask for it."

"Good idea." Danni winked. "I’ll meet you at the elevator."

The nurse couldn’t believe what she had felt. ‘Was that Garrett who just squeezed my hand or was I just imagining it?’ Either way, it sure felt nice.

***

Danni followed Garrett as they each drove their own cars home. Between the rush hour traffic and the events of earlier that day, sleep was a much-needed thing. The nurse noticed the tired look on the surgeon’s face as she opened the front door of the house to enter.

"Gar, you’re looking really tired. Why don’t you get some sleep? You know, you didn’t get more than a couple of minutes last night at the hospital."

The tall woman smirked then nodded. "You going to tuck me in, too?" It was a feeble attempt at humor.

"Yeah, I might just do that." She feigned swatting the surgeon’s behind stating, "Now off to bed with you. I’ll be up in a minute to tuck you in."

"Yes, mom." The tired surgeon pulled her body up the stairs one at a time using the railing to help her. "I’ll brush my teeth, too!" She teased.

Danni grabbed the mail from the box and closed the door. Sorting through it she noticed that most of it was for Garrett. "Hmm…interesting." She put them on the desk and took her coat off.

"Okay young lady, I’m coming up to check on you." Danni announced as she started up the staircase. "You better be in bed and fast…" By this time Danni was standing at Garrett’s wide open door. The woman was stretched out across her bed still completely dressed, but deep in slumber. "Asleep," she whispered. Walking into the bedroom, Danni took the ends of the comforter and covered her tall friend. Bending over, she lightly kissed the tension-lined forehead and whispered, "Sleep well, Gar." ‘I love you.’

Danni walked back to the doorway and leaned up against its framework. ‘How could anyone think you to be a monster of any sort? Why, if he was here right now…’ The nurse thought about what she would do to the weasel of a man who thought himself to be some god-brandishing hypocrite. She’d seen his type before. They do anything to get their clients off, no matter whose reputation they destroyed.

She watched the gentle giant sleeping and her mind began to relive the courtroom all over.

"Doctor, before that unruly outburst, you stated that you don’t have a problem with men, is that correct?"

Garrett glared at the attorney for his jab at her friend’s behavior. "Yes." Her voice was strong and vibrant now. The glass of water that she had found during the chaos helped her immensely.

"Doctor, if you don’t have an issue with men, then are you currently in a relationship with a man?"

"Objection, Your Honor!" The District Attorney stated.

The Defense Attorney smiled at the Judge. "Your Honor, it is my intention to show a pattern that will indicate that the witness does have a problem with men."

"The objection is over-ruled." The Jurist turned a wary eye to the Defense Attorney. "But, Mr. Hanington, don’t stray too far."

"That won’t be an issue, Your Honor." The attorney replied smiling cockily at the jurors. Turning back to the witness, the well-manicured man asked. "Do you have somebody that you date occasionally, say a boyfriend, Dr. Trivoli?"

"I don’t really have much free time for relationships." Garrett glared at him wondering what right he had to pry into her life. She wasn’t the one on trial.

"NO?" He looked puzzled for a moment, and then a look of revelation came over his face. "Are you married?"

"I object, Your Honor, relevance?" The quick voice of the District Attorney could be heard.

"The objection is again over-ruled. We have to give the Defense the opportunity to prove the point he stated that was his purpose for questioning the witness."

The Defense Attorney was getting smug. "Doctor, please answer the question. Are you married?"

"No."

"Doctor, is there ANYONE in your life now? Are you perhaps living with someone?"

The look on Garrett’s face indicated that she was taken aback by the question. She eyed the blonde in the back row. "Yes, I currently share a house with a friend."

"Have you slept with your ‘FRIEND’?"

The surgeon paled at the question, it was as if she was struggling to answer the question. "Yes, we have shared a bed if that is what you mean."

"So, Doctor," he strolled over to the jury box, "is your FRIEND a man," he adjusted his tie, "or a woman?"

"A woman, but it’s not the way you are implying." Garrett gazed at Danni while she was answering the question.

The blonde woman thought about the look she’d seen on Garrett’s face when their eyes had met for that brief second or two, it was almost apologetic for some reason. ‘No use in speculating, Danni, it’s her past and you weren’t part of it.’ Her mind drifted back to the courtroom.

"Doctor, what is it exactly that you think I am implying?" He looked, at her wide-eyed and innocently.

"It appears, sir, that you are implying that we were intimate, which isn’t the case. We were stranded at a ski lodge due to the weather. There was only one room left, and it had only one bed."

"Thank you Doctor, but it appears that you are rather defensive on this issue. Have you ever been in intimate contact with one of your ‘FRIENDS’?"

"Only as far as giving one a massage after a particularly hard day at work."

"Let’s be honest here, shall we? Isn’t it true that the real reason you aren’t in a relationship with a man is because you don’t WANT to be with a man?"

"No!" Garrett let her eyes dart between the two attorneys. "As I stated before I don’t have time for ANY relationship right now with my career."

"Career, yes, your career…" he thought out loud as he planned his next attack. "Doctor, do you think that the so-called ‘Glass Ceiling’ actually exists?" He smiled coyly at the jury stand. "You do know what I’m talking about don’t you?"

"Yes, that women only rise to the point of the ‘Glass ceiling’ in the workplace while men continue to rise above it."

"Why is that?" The Defense Attorney slowed his step and looked directly at her.

"It seems that there continues to be the ‘Good Ol’ Boys Network’ in play for all areas of the workforce."

"Does that bother you, Dr. Trivoli?"

"Of course it bothers me."

"Isn’t it because you feel that men are held in higher esteem than women?"

"To a certain extent, yes."

"Isn’t that the reason you got the position of Flight Surgeon on your deployments to sea? They thought that by the sound of your name that you were a male."

"I didn’t make that decision."

"But you did make the decision to ask for the Rape Kit, because you felt that this was a way to get back at a man, for all the injustice that happens to women. Didn’t you?"

"No!" The surgeon was distraught, her hand playing nervously with the contents of her pocket.

"Your Honor, I object to this line of questioning. The Defense has yet to get to his point."

"The objection is sustained. You have had plenty of time to make your point, Mr. Hanington, that’s enough. Either move on or dismiss the witness."

"Your Honor, I will only be questioning this witness for a short time longer."

"Mr. Hanington, this is your final warning." The Judge settled back into his chair, his eyes stern and full of admonition.

"Yes, Your Honor." The Defense Attorney turned to the witness. "Isn’t the real reason you left the Navy because you couldn’t stand the fact that it was predominantly men?"

Garrett smiled slowly. "I never left the service, sir. I’m still an active member of the U.S. Navy for the next two years." The twinkle in her eyes danced in delight as she leaned her elbows on the railing of the witness stand and rested her chin in her hand waiting for his reaction.

The Defense Attorney looked like a deer in front of headlights. He was in shock. Defeated by his own line of questioning, he swallowed hard. "No more questions for this witness."

The Judge smiled at the witness. "You are excused."

Sighing, Danni shook her head. "If looks could have killed, I think both of us would be up for murder right now, Gar." She thought aloud in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb the sleeping woman. ‘How does he know what you are like. I do. I’d trust my life in those hands of yours a million times over.’

Lost in her dream of Garrett’s hands, Danni jumped when she heard the sound of the ringer on the phone. Racing down the stairs, she grabbed it on the end of the second ring, not wanting the sleeping woman to be disturbed.

"Hello," she hoarsely whispered.

"Danni, are you feeling alright? Are you sick?"

"Brie! No, I’m fine…well, actually I’m a little sick to my stomach right now but I’m getting used to that. Why do you ask?"

"Your voice, why is it so hoarse?"

"I was…a little vocal at the court case today. I must have…"

"Court case? What court case?"

"Brie, nothing for you to get worried about. It was a case that Garrett got summoned to. It was a rape trial."

"Rape trial? Was it someone you know?"

"No, a patient that we worked on together. They really grilled Garrett though. You would have thought Gar was the one charged with rape the way the questioning was directed from the defense attorney."

"Danni, it was good that you were there for support. That sounds like it was some kind of hell."

"Yeah, well, it still plagues us now. We were up all night with a disaster and Gar was in surgery until the early hours of the morning. It didn’t leave much time for us to sleep." Danni let her voice trail off. "Sis, was there any reason why you called?"

"Oh, I was…was going to be in town tonight and I thought that maybe I could meet that surgeon of yours."

"Gee, Brie, I don’t know. Gar is sacked out across the bed too tired to even get in it. Another time might be better." Danni sighed. "This court thing really got us both pretty beat."

"Danni, you are taking care of yourself, aren’t you. I mean, you don’t want to be losing any weight right now."

"No way, Sis. I’m starting to fill out that Flight Suit quite nicely. I’ve been getting enough exercise to carry those few extra pounds of muscle that I’ve picked up since I teamed up with Garrett."

There was silence on Brie’s part as she thought of what few extra pounds her sister might be talking about. ‘The baby or certain parts of Garrett’s anatomy?’

"Hey, Brie. I think I really need to sit down and rest for a while, I’ve been on the go for the last 36 hours or so."

"Danni, get off your feet and rest. You take care of yourself and Garrett, too, mind you."

"Sure, Sis. Talk to you soon. Bye."

"Bye!" Brie hung up the phone. "I’ve really got let Mother know about Danni’s situation otherwise, she’s going to have a bird getting two grandchildren in the same year. Good thing I’m meeting her for lunch next week. This may go over better in person." Brie rubbed her own extended stomach. "Yes, my little one, you’ll have a cousin your same age. I can’t wait to see Mother’s face when she finds out that her precious Danni is going to give her everything that she wants…but in the wrong order." There was a gleam in the pregnant woman’s eye with that thought. "I’ll be your favorite for sure then."

***

Garrett woke up with the weirdest sensation that she had ever had. She felt like a mummy that had been left out of its tomb, alone, after it was sealed. Ready to fight the material that surrounded her, she slowly found her freedom from the confining wrap. With one eye opened, she looked for something that would tell her where she was. It was dark, darker than most mornings when she got up. Then she saw the illuminated digital readout of the alarm clock. It was 2300. She was nowhere close to morning, yet her body was telling her that she’d slept long enough.

Letting her fingers sweep over her body she realized that she was still fully dress, sans her shoes. "Damn! I must have been so tired that I didn’t even get changed." She rolled over and pushed herself up off the bed, scanning the nightstand for her beeper. "I wonder if…" fumbling with the beeper she found that it was still turned off. ‘I guess that wasn’t what woke me then. I wonder if Danni told them we were available for flights? Guess not!’ The surgeon flopped back on the bed. "I’m up now. Guess I’ll go call us back in service." She sat up and let her legs slide over the edge, then down onto the floor. The carpet felt good under her stocking feet as she made her way into the hall.

‘Looks like Danni is still awake, the light’s on in her room.’ Garrett touched the door lightly with the back of her knuckles and it opened slightly. Shrugging at the door, she pushed it more fully open and stuck her head in. "Danni?" She spoke softly. "Danni, did you…" She stopped and peered in at the sleeping woman who was sprawled under the covers, her fingers tightly clenching onto her journal. "I guess you didn’t."

It was a beautiful sight, the petite woman looking more like a child than anything, lost in the confines of the queen size bed. ‘It didn’t seem that big the other night when I slept in it with her.’ Garrett thought about how good it felt to wake up beside this woman the next morning. It was almost like she had done it hundreds of times before. It was such a natural thing to do.

‘Mom, is this what you were laughing about when you told me all those pot o’gold stories when I was a kid?’ Garrett wished she could turn back the hands of time and have her mother here to guide her. Just this one time she wished for someone else’s wisdom to guide her life. It was so easy when she was a child. You just did what you were told. But now, as an adult, no one told you how to live, you had to do that for yourself. And contrary to her beliefs as a child, those decisions didn’t get any easier with age. In fact, they just got more complex and compounded by the reaction that they would have on the world around you.

How could she give up her friendship with Danni in the hopes of having something more? She knew the friendship was strong but would it be strong enough to withstand an invitation for love on a higher plane? Especially if that was not what Danni was after.

Then her mind began to wonder. ‘Could I still be friends with her if she didn’t want to pursue that type of relationship?’ She thought of David and the gnawing pain that she felt each time that she pictured the two of them together. No, to Garrett Trivoli, the names of Danni and David did not belong in the same sentence let alone the same lifetime together.

The surgeon entered the room and crossed the floor to the side of Danni’s bed. She stared down at the woman sound asleep, gauging the space left in the bed. ‘There’s enough room. I could just lie down beside her and…’ Garrett shook her head and let a lung full of air escape out of her mouth. ‘What are you thinking, Trivoli. Don’t be stupid.’

She picked up the journal from Danni’s hand and tucked the covers around the young woman’s body. "Night, my friend," she whispered and smoothed out a stray lock of hair on the blonde’s forehead. Turning to the nightstand, she flipped over the journal and started reading the lines on the page where Danni had left off before sleep overtook her.

The two bodies seemed to morph from one into two and then back again. Each time, a little more of one became part of the other until after a while they could no longer be seen as two distinct people but rather only as one soul, housed in two bodies.

Garrett set the book down, but the words kept running through her head. Her blue eyes drank their fill of the woman in the bed. The surgeon started taking stock of herself and how much she had changed in the last eight months since meeting Danni. It seemed to be funny, as she was changing, so was the nurse who now took chances that she would have walked away from before. The surgeon looked back to the journal and the words came to haunt her again. ‘No longer be seen as two distinct people but rather only as one soul…’

Wasn’t that what they had become when they responded to a call for assistance? The Flight Team was the embodiment of their soul and even though they were two distinct people, they acted more like a single unit with one mind.

Garrett closed her eyes, trying to calm her fast-paced mind. She felt like the walls were going to crash right in on her. It was time to get out into the open and let her mind think about the whole thing without being pressured. Without the woman that tormented her soul being so close at hand. The surgeon turned off the light on the nightstand and let the light from the hall be her guide away from this Garden of Eden that was so ripe for the taking.

***

The nurse stirred as she heard the sound of the front door closing and the locks clicking into place. Gazing over at her bedside clock, Danni saw that it was only 2330. She put her head back down on her pillow and began to burrow into it when the sound of Garrett’s Blazer being started made her sit up. Leaving her bed and looking out the window, Danni could just make out the set of taillights as they drove off down the street.

The young woman sat back down on the bed, her heart sinking with the pain that her friend must be in. "Please, keep her safe and help her to weather this storm," she prayed to any deity that would listen. "Let her eyes be opened to what is in my heart. But most of all, let her find what is true and right in her own." ***

Driving around aimlessly in the night, the surgeon found herself at the one place that she always considered as her domain. She was the authority figure here and that never changed. It was one world of hers that had not been rocked by the turmoil she now was confronted with.

Throwing her Blazer into park, she jumped out, leaving the vehicle haphazardly placed in one of the on-call spaces right outside the door to the E.R. Striding with an air of purpose in her steps, Garrett breezed by the waiting room and the nurse’s station on her way to nowhere. She needed time to think, and people, well, they would only get in the way and confuse her all the more. The surgeon made her way to where she always thought the best, the O.R.

Changing into a set of scrubs, she stepped into the first empty surgical theatre and just let the aura of the room seep into her being. She thought about her many hours spent in rooms just like this one and all the patients that had benefited from her skills, her confidence in her own judgement. From that first simple appendectomy when she was just a budding Medical Student, to the woman she had worked on the night before where all of her experience was needed to keep her alive. What would they think of her now if they were privy to her mind? If only there was someone that she could talk to. Then it dawned on her. Perhaps it was time to check in on her patient, Chris.

***

Garrett stopped in at the nurse’s station, taking time to check Chris’s chart. She made every effort to act more like a doctor than she could admit her mind was presently capable of. The few minutes that she spent perusing the chart afforded her the time to muster her courage for what she intended to do. With a steady gait and a determined purpose, the surgeon strode to the patient’s room, where she knocked first before entering.

The short curly ringlets of hair stood every which way on the head of the woman in the bed. Her thin wiry build gave her a comical cartoon look.

Garrett was nearly to the bed before her eyes opened and she greeted her savior. "Hey, Doc. Thought only those students keep these late hours. You didn’t have someone up in the O.R. did you?"

Garrett shook her head. "No, just came in to check on you." The surgeon fiddled with the I.V. line acting as if it was customary for her to do so. "Besides, I didn’t want anyone else to come in her and disturb you and Marie."

"Hmmm…sounds to me like you got some things weighing on your mind." Chris watched Garrett’s expression as it changed to one of almost startled disbelief. "I guess that just goes with the job, though. Don’t it?"

The surgeon cleared her throat. "Ah…yes, I believe it does." She smiled weakly and then motioned to Chris’s abdomen. "Mind if I take a look while I’m here?"

"Heck, Doc, you know me inside and out." She giggled and looked over to the sleeping form of Marie in the chair next to her. "Almost as good as her, except she’ll tell you that she don’t know me at all sometimes." The thin lips of the patient pressed together and formed into a smile.

"I guess that comes from living so closely with someone. My friend says that she seems to know me better than I know myself, then out of the blue I do something that completely baffles her." Garrett drew in a breath. "Say, Chris, how did you and Marie ever get together? You seem so different from each other."

"I just held my breath and waited her out. I wasn’t the kind to strike up a conversation. I guess she knew it, too. It took her nearly a whole month before she spoke those first words to me."

"What were they, something philosophical?"

Chris looked over at Marie and stroked her hair. "No, she asked me what I was using for bait."

"Bait?" Garrett raised her eyebrow in response. "Was she referring to you cologne or your style of dress?"

"Neither, I was sitting out in the morning sun with my feet dangling over the edge of the wharf with a fishing pole in my hand." They both smiled at each other for a moment while Chris waited for the next question from the surgeon.

"Was it love at first sight or did you have to think about it for a while?"

"Hmm…now that’s a tough one. In my heart, I think it always was love, even before we talked. Now, my head, well let’s just say that I could have known her more closely for a lot longer if I’d listened to my heart."

"You’d choose going with your heart, then?"

"Every time! It has a funny way of knowing what it needs."

"Then you never regretted…"

"Life’s too short for regrets, Doc." The thin woman motioned to her own body. "Look at me. I don’t regret you being here yesterday. Why should you regret something that reaches out and acts like a life preserver?"

"Life preserver? I’m not following you."

"Love, Doc, love. It can get you through the low times and help to keep you grounded when the world keeps pushing you higher." She winked and nodded toward Marie. "She’s my anchor. Keeps me from running aground in high seas, and stands waiting for me like a homing beacon when I’m running off on a tangent."

Garrett cleared her throat as she made an attempt to look at the incision site. "Well, that seems to be healing nicely." The surgeon hoped that Chris would welcome the change of subject. "Maybe in a day or so we might be able to get you two home. What would you say to that?"

"Grateful, that’s what I’d say. Truly grateful."

Garrett smiled and put the bandages back in place. "Thanks, Chris. You’ve been a wonderful patient to take care of. You and Marie, both."

"Well, it wasn’t our doing to be in here but I’m glad that if I had to, it was you and that little blonde nurse…"

"Danni." The surgeon smiled just saying her name.

"Yeah," she smiled, "Danni took care of us. Marie was telling me about how you each stood watch over us last night. I appreciate that."

"I only do it for special patients, you know." Garrett winked and laughed with the older woman. "Thanks for talking to me. I’m going to think about what you said."

"Don’t mention it, Doc. You’re a good woman. I’m sure that you’ll know what’s right if you just follow your heart."

"You," the surgeon pointed directly at Chris, "get some sleep now." Garrett patted her hand. "I’m going to go listen to my heart."

The surgeon stepped away from the bed and out the door leaving the two women to bask in the love that had filled their hearts years ago.

***

The chilly air of the predawn hours did wonders to clear Garrett’s head as she got into her Blazer. It was always darkest before the dawn and the surgeon was hoping that with the rise of a new day, her last twenty-four hours would be her darkest for years to come.

Perhaps it was the quiet of the late night hour or the solitude but Garrett could sense that things were going to become easier for her, especially after talking to Chris.

She turned the key in the ignition and put it into gear as she charted her course for home. ‘I’ll call command when I get home and tell them to put us back on as of 0700. Danni needs the rest.’ It amazed her, how many times she thought about the nurse lately. It seemed to be the one thing that she honestly could say was a constant in her life.

"Okay, Trivoli, now all you’ve got to do is listen to your heart. Well, that’s as soon as you find it."

The tall surgeon pulled out into the sparse traffic and headed home, still searching for her pot o’gold.

Chapter 10

With the warm weather moving into the area sooner than usually anticipated, the Flight Crew was being utilized more and more. The gentle rains of April had moved into the picture making the roadways hazardous to drivers of all skill levels. There was hardly a day that the helicopters didn’t fly and the number of their call outs was increasing drastically.

Danni found herself pressed for time to even take care of the mandatory things in life like shopping for groceries, house chores, and keeping up with her nursing journals let alone the things that she thought she needed to do. It was playing on her mind, ever since the court case in March that she needed to talk to David. She’d finally made her mind up and wanted to take care of some things before she would feel comfortable to move on in the direction that she had chosen. The several attempts to get in touch with David never seemed to pan out. She’d call him and leave messages at his apartment and the hospital but in like manner, his replies ended up the same way. Talk about playing phone tag with someone, but this was getting down right ridiculous.

With all of the technology present in the year 2001, you’d think that it would be easier. The life style that each party had was a major contributor to their own unavailability. The nurse had often thought of using the computer and sending him E-mail, but never liked the idea of using it for something as delicate an issue as this. Besides, it just wasn’t her style. She was more a "look-you-in-the-eye" kind of person when things of this importance needed to be discussed. It had always been her trademark. Danni would just have to wait for the next time she could get a day off and drive herself down to West Virginia. Once there, she’d let David know exactly where he stood in her life and in her heart. There would be no more time for misconceptions if she were to try to do what her heart was telling her to do. June would be here soon enough and she still wasn’t sure what Garrett was thinking of doing come the first of July when her year of Fellowship would be over.

Danni thought about her tall, raven-haired friend. She seemed more contemplative now than before. It was as if she was weighing a great choice in her mind. Perhaps it was what to do with the next year, or where to go with her career. The only thing that the nurse prayed for was that somehow, someway, she would be a part of it. Most of the Residents and Fellows at the hospital were talking about where they would be working come the first of July, but Garrett hadn’t said a word. She’d never even mentioned it in any way. It was as if she only existed for that day, that Flight, and the rest would take care of itself when it got there.

The nurse looked at the stack of envelopes with Garrett’s name on them. What had started as only one or two in February was now adding up to a large handful. She could only speculate what they were about, since the surgeon had chosen not to even open them and read what they were offering her. Danni fanned through the handful of sealed letters letting the return addresses flash before her eyes. It amazed her that so many large institutions wanted a shot at Dr. Garrett Trivoli.

Now what would it take to entice her to stay? Danni knew what she was willing to throw into the pot, but would that make the surgeon stay on here in Pittsburgh or run like hell to get as far away as possible? The surgeon could name her price anywhere she wanted to go, but could she possibly find what she really needed away from Danni? These were all questions that the nurse knew were soon to be answered, whether she liked it or not.

Putting the stack of envelopes back where they belonged, she climbed the stairs to bed, wondering if they’d even get to sleep until morning before they would once again be summoned with a call for help.

***

The clock read 0202 when the sound of the beeper woke the surgeon. Throwing back the covers, she sat up and scrubbed her face trying to get the sleep from her eyes. She picked up the pager and read the alphanumeric read-out on the display screen. The cryptic wording only added to the puzzle. "MVA – Man in Tree." "What the hell?" She pushed off the bed and started getting her Flight Suit on. "Danni!" The surgeon opened her door and yelled out into the hall as she rounded the corner to the bathroom. "Danni, we’ve got a flight. Time to get up."

Garrett closed the door in what seemed like seconds later. Then, the sound of a flush could be heard, followed by running water. She came out of the bathroom zipping up her suit as the sleepy-eyed blonde opened her door.

"I’m coming, I’m coming. I don’t know why we just don’t sleep in these suits anymore." She grumbled as she crossed the hall to the bathroom.

"Because they’re too hard to get off to go to the bathroom." Garrett yelled back as she picked up the phone to call into the command center.

"Oh, yeah, right!" Danni picked up the pace as she went about her abbreviated ritual that she had begun calling the "splash and dash routine." She had it worked out to a precise method. While seated on the commode, she would splash the water on her face from the sink and dry it with a towel helping to wake her up. Stepping into her Flight Suit she would pull it on, zipping it up and then wash her hands. Stepping into her boots at the bottom of the stairs, she would quickly tie the laces and dash to the already warmed Blazer with Garrett ready at the wheel.

The drive at this time of night was a quick one and within ten minutes they were standing at the helipad waiting to be met. The wash of debris-filled air picked up the closer the helicopter hovered to the pad. Protecting their eyes, the Flight Team waited patiently for the craft’s skids to touch down.

With the go-ahead signal from the pilot, Danni and Garrett scurried under the whirling blades of the helicopter toward the door. The surgeon quickly released the handle, opening it and the nurse entered and took her seat. Once Garrett was onboard with the door shut, Danni was alerting the pilot that they were preparing for take-off. The ease with which the surgeon maneuvered her tall body in the tight quarters of the ship always amazed the nurse. Her friend could be in the ship, and buckled in her seat within seconds.

"One of these days, you’re going to have to show me how you do that."

"Do what?" The surgeon looked surprised.

Danni shook her head, "Nothing, don’t worry about it." The nurse held her thumb up and the surgeon copied it for the pilot to see. They were lifting off.

Cowboy had made the quick ascent that was his usual approach to any of the trips when he rode with the Flight Team. He had already charted out the trip and was ready to convey any information that he had to the women in the back. "Morning, ladies. We’ve got to quit meeting like this or some people are going to think that the three of us have a thing going." He laughed casting a wayward eye over his shoulder to catch their reaction.

But there was none, the women were busy doing the preflight checklist of drugs and equipment. They could do it in their sleep that’s how often they were being called out. As a matter of fact, they had only been off of the ship for three hours this last time. They were beginning to have the look of drones as they went through the motions.

"We’ll be there in about twelve minutes." Cowboy warned them, then turned his attention to the sky ahead.

Any minute that could be, was used for sleep and if it was going to take twelve minutes to get to the scene, then that meant at least 10 minutes of snooze time. Garrett was used to the sporadic segments of sleep. It was a part of her training with long hours on call and surgeries to all hours of the morning. It was just like an old shoe that felt comfortable when you slipped it on. She folded her arms over her chest and set her head to a comfortable tilt, ready for sleep.

The nurse just watched, amused at how quickly the snores would come from the body of the surgeon. It amazed her to no end that anyone could just decide to go to sleep that fast. Danni sighed, looking out the window at the darkness of the night. She was one, that unless her petite body was exhausted, the comforts of bed would be the only place for her to sleep. Randomly the nurse let her eyes stray, finding herself gazing on the restful form in the seat opposite her.

"Rise and shine, ladies! Looks like every darn emergency vehicle in the county is parked down there." Cowboy shook his head. "Looks like a bad one, Doc."

That was all she needed. The simple sound of a voice stirred her out of her state of sleep. The surgeon rolled her head and stretched, trying to work out the kinks before they touched down. Having done all that she could to limber her tired and sore body, she waited for the craft to land.

"Have a good nap?" Danni smiled.

"You get used to it after a while. You know, you should really try it sometime."

"Not my style," the nurse giggled, "bed, covers, something warm, soft and plush to cuddle up to, that’s what I need."

Garrett looked at her kind of strangely, then slightly shook her head. "I don’t remember seeing you with any stuffed animals in bed."

Danni just smirked, thinking to herself. ‘I guess not when you’re the something warm, soft and plush to cuddle up to.’ "I guess you will just have to look a little harder the next time you see me in bed."

"Hmmm…I just might have to." Garrett let the corners of her mouth turn up as she allowed her eyes to gaze into Danni’s.

"Whoa, doggies, look at that!" The pilot was amazed at what he was viewing. "Doc, Danni, look out your window back there. You ain’t going to believe this one."

Garrett craned her neck trying to see out the window to the scene below. "I can’t see anything but a red glow."

"Gar, that glow is coming from all the vehicles down there. Where’s the…" Danni moved trying to find the best view of the unfolding rescue below. "Jeez, I hope they don’t expect us to get to him there."

"What?" The surgeon stretched trying to see.

"I don’t think I’m up for this one." The nurse mumbled in amazement.

"I’m starting descent." Cowboy informed his crew. "We’ll be on the ground in less than a minute."

"Where? What?" The surgeon was puzzled at her friend’s mumbled thought. "Danni, give me some idea of what we’re going into here."

"You’ve got to see this one for yourself."

The helicopter landed outside the ring of emergency vehicles. Cowboy had done his job well positioning the craft in such a way as to have the doors for the patient compartment in direct line with the scene. Garrett was pleased with his timesaving effort for the loading and liftoff but slightly miffed that she still had no idea of what they were walking into once she threw open the doors of the crew compartment.

Loaded with gear, Danni got up from her seat and waited patiently for the strong arm of the surgeon to open the door. Throwing the handle to release the locking mechanism, Garrett slid the door open and emerged to her first sight of the precarious rescue.

There, perched halfway up a huge tree, was the small compact vehicle. From the looks of the scene, the car had gone off the road at the top of the hill were it curved to the left and by some unknown force, became airborne, thus landing in the tree. By the looks of it, the only thing keeping the car in place was the long branch that had skewed it through the front and back windows. The car teetered like a hanger hooked on to someone’s finger.

Garrett took in a deep breath and let it out. "Well, standing here ain’t getting our job done. Let’s go find the Scene Commander."

Danni nodded and they trooped off together in the direction of the man in charge.

***

It was only a matter of ten or fifteen minutes before the bloodstained body of the small vehicle’s driver was lowered out of the tree. The use of an aerial ladder raised to the side and above the treed vehicle afforded them the vantage point that they needed. They rigged their rope and pulley assembly there to lower the victim secured to the backboard down to the ground and into the waiting hands of the medical personnel. Surprisingly, the victim was alert and oriented to his plight. His anxious cries for help tore at the young nurse’s heart. It was her nature to care and comfort, not stand around, waiting for the patient to come into your reach.

"He’s going to be full of glass, Danni. You’d better make sure to have your heavier gauge gloves on." Garrett thought out loud as they stood there watching.

"Yeah, got them right here in my pocket." The petite nurse touched first her right then her left side leg pockets. "Never leave home without them." Then she began to pull them from her zippered pockets. In the process a small vial of solution started to emerge with them. ‘What the…oh, forgot I had that in there from yesterday in the E.R.’ She pushed it back into her pocket, pulled the zipper shut and stood ready for the patient as she pulled the gloves onto her hands.

Within minutes the lowered form was disconnected from the rope system and carried across the rough terrain. The group of litter bearers never stopped until they were well out of the danger zone, and the patient placed on the framework of the helicopter’s stretcher.

The rescue worker in the lead looked directly at the Flight Surgeon, his eyes pleading for help. "He’s bleeding from somewhere on his face and we just can’t get it to stop."

Garrett glanced quickly at the blood soaked clothing of the rescue personnel then to the patient himself. If something weren’t done to stop that bleeding soon, there would be little blood left to keep him alive on the inside. She caught a glance of the lone I.V. site in his left arm. The fluid chamber of the regulating gauge was dripping so fast that it was almost a steady stream.

"Danni, get another I.V. line established and hang Ringer’s Lactate wide open." The surgeon muscled her way into the group of concerned E.M.S. personnel. "Shine those lights on his face. Let’s get a look at this wound." She reached into the pile of gauze and absorbent dressings, carefully lifting them from his face.

Garrett grabbed the offered gauze from the Medic’s hand and used it to try to wipe some of the blood from the patient’s face. As fast as she blotted the area, more blood appeared. It seemed to be gushing out of his very pores, all concentrating in the area around the right eye. After a few more handfuls of fresh gauze, it appeared that she was making a little headway. The long jelly-like masses of coagulated blood clung to the gauze like a baby to its mother’s nipple. Now, the injury could be seen much clearer.

Danni noticed the quietness at once as the voices around her halted. She looked up from her ministrations with the I.V. tubing to see several shocked faces on the rescuers. "What’s wrong?"

Her question was meet only briefly by the blue eyes of the Flight Surgeon as Garrett looked up from the brutalized flesh, then, continued examining the right side of the patient’s face.

The nurse looked directly at the traumatized patient’s face. Even from where she stood an arm length away, the injury was horrendous. The right eye was protruding from its socket and grossly misshapen. There wouldn’t be much that they could do for that eye now. Stopping the bleeding was their major concern. Knowing that head wounds have a tendency to bleed more due to the vascular nature of the body, Danni was not appalled by the site like many of the rescuers were. She just kept moving along about her job.

"Artery?"

Garrett shook her head. "No, the blood just keeps coming from that whole area." She blotted the raw flesh again trying to see it better. "Danni, we don’t carry Lidocaine with Epinephrine in our drug bag, do we?"

The nurse handed the bag of I.V. solution for a rescuer to hold. "I.V.’s in and running wide open. Lidocaine with Epi, not likely. They only use that in Plastic Surgery." She moved out of her position and joined Garrett at the head of the patient. "We don’t carry that in our bag," she smiled as she remembered the vial in her leg pocket, "but I know where we can get some."

Danni quickly produced the vial from her pocket. "Would 20cc be enough?"

She held the bottle up with the label facing the surgeon.

The lopsided grin spread like a bolt of lightning across Garrett’s face. "Yes, that just might be enough." Her eyes twinkling with delight at the sight of the drug she needed. "Get me a syringe and a few needles, 25 gauge if you have them. Were going to use an old plastic surgery trick to stop this blood loss."

With needles and syringes procured, the Flight Team worked to arrest the bleeding by injecting small amounts of the drug under the skin. It was a way of keeping the very vascular regions of the face that were filled with multitudes of capillaries, small veins and arterioles from bleeding while the plastic surgeon would do the tedious job of stitching up any lacerations through the layers of nerve sensitive tissue. It would allow plastic surgeons a lengthier time to work at the tiny hair-fine stitches that were necessary. Garrett finished the last of the injections, using up the last of the drug. "There, that should give us a chance to get him to the Trauma Center and replace some of his blood." She straightened up and rolled her shoulders trying to release the kink that was forming already. "What’s his pressure now?"

The medic took another reading while the surgeon studied the exposed globe and placed moist gauze then the domed plastic shield over it for the protection of the once sighted organ.

"BP is 100 over 76, Heart Rate is 108, and Respirations are 24."

"Okay, let’s get him loaded for transport, there’s nothing more that we can do here."

The Flight Surgeon’s words were like gold taken at face value. The group of rescuers hastily carried the helicopter litter into the receiving door as Danni slipped inside the craft to direct the stretcher into place and lock it down. The surgeon brought up the rear, as she gathered the equipment bags, bringing them with her. Once the bags were stowed inside, Garrett slid the compartment’s door closed, locking it in place. She promptly took her seat and buckled herself in for the ride. A quick visual check assured her that Danni was in place and ready for flight. Garrett gave the thumbs up sign to the pilot and they were on their way.

The sound of the whirring blades picking up both speed and power for lift off were a welcome noise. It would mean that they were at best, only twelve to fifteen minutes from the hospital and an awaiting ophthalmologist to whisk him into surgery. That was, if there was any hope to save the eye.

The surgeon continued on with her secondary assessment of as much of the patient as she could reach while Danni monitored his vital signs. With the abbreviated survey giving her no additional speculations of injury, the surgeon called in her report. With that out of the way, the Flight Team settled into their seats and waited for the familiar sights of the City of Pittsburgh to come into view.

"Danni," the soft voice of the surgeon could be heard over the helmet radio, "that was a nice assist back there. Where did you come up with that Lidocaine with Epi?"

The nurse shrugged her shoulders rather tiredly. "Sometimes it pays to help out in the E.R. when we’re waiting to be called out. I was assisting the Maxillo-Facial Surgical Resident yesterday and just happened to pick up an extra vial." She let the smile spread across her face, content in the thought that she had everything that Garrett could possibly want.

***

With their patient turned over to the Trauma Team at the hospital, Garrett and Danni waited to see what the ophthalmologist could report after his close scrutiny of the traumatized globe. It wasn’t looking good in respects to being able to save the eye even cosmetically. The lens was ripped out of its place and the cornea, what little there was left to it, was trashed. Even though the loss of the eyesight would be a permanent thing, the patient still had his life, which was lucky considering the nature of his accident. It could have been so different an outcome if the car had propelled itself a little more to the right.

Wearily, Danni and Garrett replaced their supplies and bid Cowboy farewell and safe flying, as they themselves headed back to their home. It was almost morning now and sleep was still nothing more than an allusion to them.

***

The ringing clamored so close to her, that Danni initially thought it was coming from inside her head. The blonde woke to the sound of the phone. There it was again. Her single eyelid opened as the tired green orb tried to find the source of the racket to stop it from ringing another time. Her jumbled mind fought from dominance over sleep. ‘What’s the phone doing in my room anyway?’ There it was, starting all over again. She reached out her hand and swiped it from the table next to where she lay.

"H...Hel…lo," she croaked, her voice husky from sleep. The nurse tried to push herself up from her warm pillow but the effort was too much as she sank back into it.

"Danni? It’s nearly 1 in the afternoon. I thought you didn’t work the night shift anymore."

"Don’t…" she mumbled into the receiver. "I’m with Garrett now."

"You’re still in bed?" Brie was shocked by the openness of her sister. She hadn’t even tried to hide the fact. "Are you feeling alright, I mean, you’re not sick are you?"

"No, Brie, no queasy stomach today. I haven’t had one since the last time we spoke." Danni laughed softly, as she grew more awake with each exchange of conversation. "Gar and I were up and down so many times last night, I never thought I would get to sleep."

"Danni, is that good right now?" The concern was coming across loud and clear from her sister.

"Yeah, they said that the call to action would grow steadily before it would level off and then slow down later in the season. Everybody tells us to enjoy it while we can."

Brie thought of her own family and the limited times that were available for sex once her son was born. "I got to admit it, Danni, they’re right. Is that snoring I hear in the background?"

Danni pulled her head up off the pillow and tried focusing her eyes on her surroundings. Much to her surprise, she was on the couch in the living room and her pillow was none other than one very worn-out surgeon still dressed in her Flight Suit. The nurse looked down to her own body stretched out along the length of the couch. She, too, was dressed in a very similar fashion. "Yeah, Brie, that’s Gar snoring."

Images ran through Brie’s head of her sister in bed with a man and she fought hard not to go there. "Are you happy with this, Danni?"

"I’m finding that I’m liking it more and more. You might even say that I just can’t seem to get enough of it." The nurse turned a loving eye to the woman sleeping next to her. "It’s really wearing Garrett out, which is surprising because that surgeon can usually go all night long without a problem. I guess it’s a little too much right now."

"You know, sis, you could just kick back a little and skip a time or two."

"Are you kidding me?" Danni laughed joyously. "That little signal goes off and I know that Gar will be coming in any minute, banging on my door trying to get me up and ready for action. Hmmm…I guess we’re getting more physical than Gar is used to, just standing around in that Operating Room all day." She thought about her friend and how peaceful she looked at rest.

Brie was no prude, but she never expected these kind of explicit details from her older, unmarried sister. ‘I wonder if knowing that Mother is listening in on this conversation would make a difference?’ Casting a watchful eye to her mother across the table, one daughter wondered about the other.

"Hey, Brie, I’m like really tired. If you just called to chat, can we do it later? I’d like to get some more rest before we’re up and at ‘em again."

"Okay, I’d better say goodbye. Talk to you later."

"Bye!" The blonde turned off the phone, laying it back where she had found it. Likewise, Danni did the same with her head.

Brie disconnected the line and stuffed her digital phone back into her purse. Mother’s face was becoming more stern and tight-lipped then ever. Her narrowed eyes resembled black holes that would suck you right in and lose you in her wrath forever.

"Now, do you believe me, Mother?" Brie sat with a smug look on her face. "I told you they were living together. Now I’m sure of it. Danni’s pregnant. First the morning sickness at Christmas time and now the unbridled sex urges. Why, by my pregnancy book, she’s right in step with her second trimester."

Mother looked shocked. ‘Where did I go wrong? She knows my wishes…find a doctor, get married and raise children.’ "Get the check for lunch, Brie. We’re going to Pittsburgh. I’ll see for myself."

"Ah…Mother I’m not sure that would be a prudent idea right now. I mean, they didn’t sound like they were receiving company any time soon." Brie motioned for the waitress. "Besides, Mother, if Danni is pregnant you don’t really want to go getting her all upset do you?"

Mrs. Bossard had anger building up inside of her that equaled the power of the atomic bomb. "You’re right, Brie, Danni would never be the one responsible for this. I’ll take my anger out on the real culprit, Dr. Garrett Trivoli." Her eyes glowed with the fire of hell and brimstone. "Who does he think he is to turn my eldest daughter into a little trollop? I’ll not accept any bastards in this family. He’ll marry her alive or posthumously. It doesn’t matter to me."

The matriarch breathed deeply, trying to calm her outraged emotions. "I have a meeting in Pittsburgh next week. I’ll just stop in at that hospital of theirs and talk to him without Danni being around. We’ll see who’ll have the last laugh here." She pushed herself up from the table. "Come, daughter, we have things to take care of."

The young woman watched her mother turn and walk away. ‘Yeah, Danni, you can have fun with your surgeon, but I’m the matriarch-in-training now.’ She doled out several bills from her purse to pay for lunch and followed in her mother’s footsteps as she gently rubbed her own ever-expanding with new life stomach.

***

Shades of evening were drifting in the windows as the sun slowly sank in the west, when Garrett first started to stir. Her long frame draped over the comfortable couch had received more sleep in the last eight hours than she had in the last five days. It was a miracle that they got any sleep at all. For once, in a string of days, the beeper remained quiet. She dreaded moving for fear the tired and aching muscles of her body would scream in protest to the punishment that she was causing them to endure.

What was supposed to be a year spent in learning the techniques of Trauma Surgery was becoming a year of learning more and more about herself than she ever realized existed. The once cut-and-dried approach that she had meant for her life was now crumbling around her. She was feeling things that made no sense to her and for the first time in her life, she felt like she was losing all control. Control, wasn’t that what had ruled her life before? She thought about how she was the controlling party in the orchestra of her life’s work. It was she who had put in the long tedious hours of mastering her surgical skills. No one else had made her practice the fine motor skill movements that her hands and fingers could perform now without her even giving them a second thought. Now, when all of her hard work was about to be paying off, she felt her life spiraling out of control with a petite blonde at the center of it all.

The surgeon slowly rolled her head from side to side, easing out the stiffness in her muscles. She let her body take its time in waking up. Yawning, she opened her eyes and saw where she was, the living room. She’d never even made it up the stairs. Now that was tired. ‘Good gosh, if I was this tired, I can only imagine what Danni must be feeling like.’

It was then that she felt the strange sensation of movement, as something stirred against her body. The tiniest of sighs came dancing on her ears and the surgeon knew that Danni was not far away. Lifting her weary head, Garrett could make out the blonde hair that fell so haphazardly in her lap. The woman’s body warmth had melted her heart. Garrett rested her head down on the back of the couch and moved her arm so that her hand was laying gently upon Danni’s head, the blonde tresses weaving themselves in between the long sinewy fingers of the surgeon.

***

Danni had awakened, surprised to still be in her Flight Suit. But the bigger surprise was being on the couch with her head on Garrett’s lap and the surgeon’s hand playing with her hair. Wow, was that a surprise! The blonde felt her heart racing and her mind clouded with thoughts. ‘By the gods, if it could only be like this forever.’ The nurse nestled in enjoying the closeness of the woman she loved and letting all of her senses drink in their fill of information to keep the moment fresh in her memory. Now, this, this was something to write about in her journal. Danni made a mental note to do just that the minute the large, soft hand was no longer holding her.

***

The warming days of April had settled in and now the rain descended down upon them. The medic crews that came into the E.R. this night were dressed in their slickers and dripping with the elements from outside. Rain was always depressing but even more so to the hospital staffs, especially the nurses in the E.R. With rain came slippery road conditions and with the darkness falling, that meant more accidents than normal.

The trauma beeper had been going off on what seemed to be a regular basis.

At least that’s what Karen thought it to be. She looked up to see the doors open, allowing another group of medics to wheel in their patient. "It’s going to be another one of those nights." She shook her head. "Okay, Medic 4 we got your report. Knee injury, right?"

The young, skinny medic nodded his head. "Yep, minor fender bender and no seat belt. His knee hit the dashboard. Nothing else hurts and his vitals are fine."

"Okay, let’s see," the Charge Nurse looked at the board, "Take him into room 10. I’ll have the Doctor see him in a minute or two." She turned and looked around for an available nurse, "Rosie, can you take this one?"

"Not really, Mom, we just got a report of two more coming in from an MVA, a Level One and the other one is a rescuer."

The older nurse nodded to the patient and medic combo, "Come on, I’ll take you myself." Leading them to the room, she prepared the patient to be seen.

Rosie stepped out of the way of the medics as they wheeled in past her. Within seconds, the perky nurse was headed for the back hallway and the Trauma Rooms. Passing the assignment board, the auburn-haired nurse looked at the names, longing to see that of her friend’s up there once more. She missed Danni like she missed a sister. The two women had worked side by side since the blonde had come to the E.R. and now, with being on the Flight Team, Rosie seldom, if ever, got to see her. ‘What I wouldn’t give to be working with her tonight.’ The nurse hastened her pace to assure that the room would be ready and she in it when the patient arrived.

The tired team assembled and took their places ready for the next trauma to roll in the doors. As each one prepared themselves, they thought of things ranging from home and family to what to do and where to stand. The evening was a long one and with each new trauma coming in, it became even longer still.

Dr. Rene Chabot rounded the corner into the Trauma Room as the loudspeaker announced the arrival of his patient. "Traumas in the department, Traumas in the department."

"Okay, everybody ready, eh?" The French Canadian was in a chipper mood even though the day had been busy. He looked from face to face as he grabbed the lead apron and put it on. "Dr. Kreger, you’ve got the second patient. I understand that it’s one of the rescuers. I’ll take the Level One."

The Chief Resident nodded his head and moved out into the hallway. "I wonder what happened?"

"Don’t know…they never said what the injuries where, just that they were both coming in the same ambulance." Rosie was hoping that it wasn’t too bad, it was never a pleasure to work on someone that you knew.

Just then the first sight of the ambulance crew came into view and all eyes were on them, eagerly anticipating the report. The Medics wheeled the stretcher into the room but instead of a deep male voice giving the report, a familiar female one was heard instead. Rosie looked up, surprised to see Danni dressed in casual clothing consisting of jeans and a pullover top.

"Fifty-two year old male unrestrained driver of a single car into a utility pole accident. We initially found him unresponsive on our arrival at the scene." Danni watched as they transferred the man from one stretcher to another. "Heart rate was Sinus Brady at 56, showing some PVC’s with occasional runs of bigeminy lasting for a minute or so. His BP was 110 over 82 and Respiration was at a rate of 12."

"Okay, thank you Nurse Bossard." Rene looked questioningly at her. "New uniform?" he teased.

"This?" Danni looked down at her clothing, "No, just out shopping when we saw this accident happen in front of us."

"Us?" Rene looked behind the blonde woman. "Where is the rest of the ‘us’ at?" He knew that Garrett would not be far away.

Danni tried to hide a knowing grin. "She’ll be here in a min…"

"I told you that I don’t need this!" The sound of Dr. Trivoli’s commanding voice traveled down the hall to the Trauma Room. "I can walk perfectly fine."

Danni wrinkled her nose in response to the voice. "There she is now." Then turned to see the hallway filled with the presence of the Flight Surgeon.

"Sure you can Doc." The medic pushing the wheelchair just rolled his eyes and laughed. "Just humor me, okay?"

"Humor you! You want me to humor you? How about you humoring me and let me out of this thing." The surgeon was twisting and turning in the chair as she ranted and raved.

Danni just sheepishly grinned, "They always say that doctors make the worst patients." Then shrugged her shoulders and left the patient from the car accident in the hands of the Trauma Team. "Looks like I’m needed elsewhere."

Rosie shook her head. "I’m glad that I’m not the nurse to get her out of those clothes." There was a subdued chuckle coming from the members of the team with that comment.

"Okay, everyone! Let’s get to our jobs, eh?" Rene urged them on as he thought. ‘And I’m glad that I’m not the physician to treat her. Ah…But Danni will keep her from killing anyone…I hope.’ The Trauma Fellow turned his attention back to the MVA patient before him. "Let’s get a 12 lead EKG and draw some blood for labs."

***

The Charge Nurse passed by the room with the mutterings of anger casually spewing out into the hall. The patient was obviously upset and blaming everything from the rain to landmines as the cause of his or her misfortune. Curious of the voice, Mom stuck her head into the room. "Is there anything that I can do to…Dr. Trivoli?" Karen’s eyes bugged out to see the surgeon trying to get her pants off over the swollen left ankle.

"What?" The voice was loud and irritated. "Can’t you see that I’m busy?"

Karen had now let her face reflect the Charge Nurse that she was. "I’ll get your nurse to help you with those, Doctor. Now, could you just stop with the cursing out of the world? I mean…what kind of example are you setting for the rest of the patients?" Mom’s hands were on her hips by now and her right foot tapping to the cadence of her words. "Now, who’s your nurse? I’ll go get them."

The blue eyes of the surgeon lifted to meet Karen’s. The raging sea in them only worsened with the mention of calling her nurse for help. "You call that perverted little man back in here and I’ll send him off on another wild goose chase again. I’m not having him take my jeans off."

Mom had to laugh; Garrett was right. She thought for a moment and could hear the stories in her head already that would boast of John’s ability to get into the tall, dark, and deadly-with-a-scalpel, surgeon’s pants. It would read like something out of a romance novel of wanton lust. The seductive power that the male nurse possessed to land the great and all-powerful Dr. Garrett Trivoli would be told again and again.

"Come on, let me give you a hand." Karen closed the curtain to shield the woman from any wayward eyes. "You know, I bet Danni would just love to help you out of these. Where is she anyway?" The nurse looked at the swollen ankle and asked rather shyly, "What the heck did you do to this…use it to beat that lawyer over the head when no one was looking?"

"No, I was going over to the accident scene after parking the Blazer and all of a sudden, I was almost knee deep in a blasted puddle in the middle of the lanes of traffic." Garrett sighed pointing to the other trauma. "So Danni’s over there filling out the report with the Medics."

The Charge Nurse laughed trying not to let it show. "Garrett, welcome to Pennsylvania. You’ve just been sucked into one of our famous potholes."

"Pothole, damn it! It felt like a crater in a minefield."

"Well, we’ve been known to have small cars swallowed whole in them." Karen shook her head, "Come on now, let me help you with those jeans."

"Why would they let them get that big? Doesn’t anybody see them when they start out little?" The surgeon winced as the older nurse gently eased the stiff denim material over the injured limb.

‘Should I? Hell, I might as well try! Danni, here goes.’ "You know, Doc, not everyone sees things the same. It takes some little feeling or emotion to let some people know that things are different about a person while another may be pretty dense to the activity going on around them." Karen watched for any sign that she was being understood before she continued on. "Take the way that you and Danni have become friends over the last few months. Most people might think that you two are very close friends."

"Well, of course we’re close. You work with a person long enough you get to know them."

"I don’t mean in that way, Doc. There’s something different about the relationship that the two of you have." Mom felt like she was sticking her neck out on the chopping block and hoped that Garrett would know what she meant.

Garrett looked down at her discolored ankle. "Hmmm…" she wasn’t happy with the way it looked "That’s because we live together. We both know what is going on in the other’s life."

Mom’s eyes rolled at that statement. "Sometimes, Doc, I think you’d need to be hit with a railroad tie to wake up and see what’s going on." Karen set the jeans down on the foot of the stretcher as she prepared to let the steam out of her boiler. This was getting her mad now. Who would believe that the skilled surgeon in front of her could not know that Danni had feelings for her? "Doc, you can be so observant of the tiniest imperfection in someone’s anatomy and not see the giant good that your being here does for her. I don’t get it. I just don’t get you." Karen pulled the sheet up, covering the surgeon to her waist. "You better start thinking about what’s going to happen when this year is all over. I swear, Garrett Trivoli, if you just leave without so much as a goodbye, I’ll…I’ll…" The Charge Nurse saw the puzzled look on Garrett’s face. "Well, just don’t! I don’t know what she sees in you, but then again who does when they’re in..." Mom ended her thought without finishing when she heard the footsteps at the door.

"Hey! There you are. How’s the ankle? Ouch!" Danni stuck her head into the curtained off room, her face showing pain at the sight of the surgeon’s ankle.

"Yeah, too bad it ain’t as thick as her head, she’d be just fine then." Karen bustled out of the room. "I’ll go get an attending to come look at that."

"What’s up with Mom?" The petite blonde motioned toward the door.

"I’m not sure. She was telling me about the car-swallowing potholes and then started to talk about…" Garrett stopped short of finishing her thought out loud. ‘Our friendship and saying goodbye.’ "Ah…my ankle and how bad it looks." The surgeon studied Danni’s face. ‘Could Mom be right? Is there more than just an everyday friendship between us?’ This was something that she was going to have to think about and this just wasn’t the right time or place.

"It does look kind of nasty, Gar. Are you going to be able to walk on it?"

The surgeon tried to move her ankle in any easy direction. Each way that she tried, her action was met with pain. "Maybe you better call the Command Desk and notify them that we’re out of service for a while." A scowl was on her face as she handed over her cell phone to Danni.

The nurse accepted it and began the round of phone calls that would be necessary.

*** Being a medical professional, especially one that is known for her demanding nature, helped to hasten Garrett’s time in the E.R. It wasn’t long after the customary examination, X-rays, treating, and teaching that the petite blonde assisted the crutch-using surgeon to the door of the Blazer in the driveway.

Using crutches was something new for the surgeon and she found herself feeling a little like a baby bird does going out for its first flying lesson. The tall woman was in no mood for joking as everyone within earshot could tell. The faint mutterings under her breath hinted at first of the pothole but were now turning in the direction of the crutches instead. The surgeon always thought of herself as striving for perfection while now all she was striving for was to go home and rest, away from the staring looks and pity-filled faces of those who saw her.

Garrett looked up into the compartment of her Blazer. She’d never seen it from this angle, the passenger’s side. "How’d you get the…"

Danni smiled graciously. "The Medics dropped me off when you were having your X-rays done. I figured that it was better then taking the bus."

The nurse’s eyes were hopeful. "Now let’s get you home."

The surgeon nodded her head. "Thanks. Guess you’re driving, huh?"

"I’d say so, at least for the next few days." Danni smiled. "I’ve got the written orders to prove that, too!" She held out the yellow discharge slip from the E.R. "All signed and sealed by Dr. Kreger and Dr. Porter. Besides, when I talked to Dr. McMurray about your injur…" she stopped short seeing the intense eyes of the surgeon, "ah…incapacity for the next several days, he suggested that I take some time off, too. You know, to relax a little. Now, get in before I have to have John help you in."

"I’m going...I’m going!" Garrett picked up her crutches and maneuvered her body into the seat of the Blazer. Once settled in she turned toward the driver’s seat waiting for Danni to climb in. "Home, James." The surgeon giggled. "You know, I always wanted to say that."

The petite nurse rolled her eyes and shook her head, then cautiously pulled out into traffic.

***

Danni was trying her best to be a good nurse to the injured surgeon. She had brought her breakfast in bed and helped her assemble her clothing for the day, even drawing her bath and having everything ready for it, all within Garrett’s reach. She’d even made the corner of the couch into a comfort zone for the beleaguered woman with the edition of extra pillows for her to rest and elevate her foot on, while the close proximity of several surgical journals that had just arrived in the mail completed the zone. She would check in on Garrett from time to time, asking if she needed anything or wanted something to eat or drink. By the end of the supper, the nurse could sense that the injured woman was in need of some space of her own. The pleasant smiles had, over the course of the day, dwindled to forced smiles and annoyed mumbling after she left the room. The surgeon had taken care of herself for so long that it felt too confining having someone look after her almost every need. Danni had to agree coddling was not the surgeon’s style.

It was with Garrett’s best interest at heart that she decided to let the surgeon have some time to herself. After all, they were together as the Flight Team day and night; she didn’t have to be with her in their down time too. Perhaps some time away from each other would let the surgeon feel more in control. Besides, this was the perfect time that Danni had been looking for to go talk to David face to face. And with that idea in mind, the petite woman would set her plan into action the next morning.

Danni rose early, getting herself ready for the day ahead. All night long she thought about what she would say to David. It was still on her mind as she began to make breakfast, a rather large one that would last the surgeon all day if necessary. She knew the eating habits of her friend if she was not around to reminder her to eat. Garrett would go without food before she’d think to make some.

The petite woman’s thoughts drifted to her tall friend. ‘What if Garrett doesn’t accept me in a more involved relationship? Could I live with that?’ The nurse flipped over the pancakes and sighed. ‘Danni…you know that you could live with anything as long as she stays in your life.’ She turned from the stove and was startled by the long lean figure that was staring at her. "Gar, I…I didn’t hear you come down the stairs."

"I’m getting better on these crutches than I’d like." The dark-haired woman motioned with her head toward the stove. "What are you making? It sure smells good." Her eyes were eager, like that of a child.

"Pancakes and sausage. I thought that I’d make you a good breakfast since I’m not going to be home for the rest of the day." She hesitated to see her friend’s reaction.

Garrett looked at her for a moment then let her eyes move downward to the floor. ‘I can’t blame her, I wouldn’t want to be around me either, especially now.’ The surgeon played with the handles of her crutches trying to console herself. "Going anywhere special?"

It was now or never, Danni knew what she had to do. "Yeah," she nodded, "I’m going to drop in on David, we’ve been playing phone tag just a little too much lately."

"Oh…." Garrett felt as if someone had just punched her in the stomach. ‘She’s got a life of her own, Gar. She’s a big girl and can do what she wants without you in tow.’ It was David again and for the life of her, the surgeon couldn’t fathom why she felt the way she did.

"You…you didn’t want to do anything special today, did you?" Danni had picked up on the shift in moods. "I just thought that you might like to have some time to yourself, maybe get some reading done."

"Yeah, I guess just because I’m the one that’s hurt, you should take advantage of the down time." Garrett nodded as she moved toward the seat at the kitchen table now. "You should go and have a good time. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine." ‘What am I saying?’ She sat down and thought about it. ‘Why am I giving her my blessing to be with David when the mere thought of them being close to each other sends a chill down my spine?’ Garrett stared at her plate as Danni placed the food on it.

"I don’t know how long I’ll be down there." The petite woman fixed her own plate and then sat down. "Will you be alright here alone?"

"What am I going to do but read and keep my leg elevated? You go ahead, I’ll be alright." Feeling the need to say something, the surgeon mumbled out her words. "Maybe I’ll give some time to planning a few activities for the Lone Survivor’s Group." Garrett started to cut her food into small bites. "When were you thinking of leaving?"

"I thought that I’d throw a few clothes into a bag and leave after I clean up the breakfast dishes." Danni took the food on her fork and chewed it until she swallowed it. "Hey, Gar! You told me before that you liked figuring out puzzles. Why don’t I give you my journal to read? Maybe you can make out what all those pieces of dreams are about."

The surgeon thought for a moment, she did make that offer several months ago. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. It will keep my mind occupied for a while."

"Good, I’ll bring it down for you before I leave." The petite woman dug into her piled-high plate of food, now relieved that Garrett would have something to keep her busy while she went down to see David. ‘David, now that is still the question here. I wonder how he’s going to take it when I tell him that I have no feelings for him other than as a friend.’

The rest of their breakfast was spent in silence, each with their own agenda on their minds. Their eyes each taking turns to steal glances from one to the other. Once finished with the meal, the women set about their courses, each with thoughts and plans for the day to come. Danni pushed herself to finish the dishes, knowing that her resolve was quickly fading to leave the side of the surgeon. With great haste, she assembled her bag and came down the stairs to the living room. "Gar, I’m leaving now. Don’t expect me home ‘til late, or more likely tomorrow." The nurse knew that if she spent one more minute in the house that she would never leave it…leave her friend.

Garrett looked up from the surgical magazine that she was reading. There was no logical reason to stop her, so the surgeon just let her go with a simple "Goodbye." All the while, the voice in her head was screaming ‘NO!’

The rush of air on her back and the sound of the door as it closed were the last sensory things that her body could feel as Danni’s presence faded from the room. The muffled sound of the Malibu as it started up in the parking space in front of the house and then slowly pulled away left a gaping hole a mile wide in the heart and soul of the woman sitting there on the couch. The essence that was Danni still clung to the air and that was all that Garrett was left with in the house, all alone.

***

The several hours that it took Danni to drive to West Virginia gave her ample time to reason everything out in her head. She knew that she was doing the right thing and that David would just have to understand how she felt, not only about him, but about Garrett Trivoli as well. The nurse wasn’t looking forward to the talk with David but there was no other way to deal with her heart. He had to know and it had to be before she said a word to Garrett. ‘This way she’ll know that I’m sure…sure of what I want.’

Danni hoped that David would understand that love was just not something that could be turned on or off. It had to come from the heart. She was sure as she ever would be that one tall, dark and deserving surgeon in Pittsburgh was the only one that had ever made her heart stir, had ever made her aware of love and would forever hold her heart in the palm of her hand.

***

The surgeon put the medical journal down and rubbed her eyes. It was quiet with no one here. Finished with the first one, Garrett laid it on the coffee table and picked up the second magazine. Her eyes caught sight of the glass of water and piece of fruit that was on the table next to the magazine. She could feel the smile creeping across her face as she thought of the petite blonde who had left them there as a reminder. "You always know what I need, don’t you?" Danni was on her mind now and she looked around the room almost hoping to see her walking through it.

Garrett picked up the orange and began peeling it, the sweetness of its fragrance filling her nose. She broke off a piece and divided it into the smaller segments that it grew in. With each division of one segment from the other her mind drifted to how much like oranges that she and Danni were. Each one a part of the whole while being an individual, yet coming together and fitting each other as though they were meant to be that way for life. After a minute or two, the surgeon just shook her head wondering what she was thinking. ‘Danni is in love with David. She’s your friend, be happy for her, she’s found that someone to love for the rest of her life. Why else would she be headed down to meet him?’ Her mind kept telling her, but deep in her heart she was still bothered by it. Sighing, the surgeon opened the magazine on her lap and started to read, hoping that her mind would let her.

***

The casually dressed blonde woman in jeans and blazer stood before the information desk in the lobby of the hospital. She knew the ins and outs of finding a medical professional when she needed one in particular and even though this hospital was in a different state, they all worked pretty much the same. Danni waited for the older woman to finish her phone call and turn in her direction. Smiling politely, Danni looked at her. "I’m a friend of Dr. David Beckman, I was wondering if you could page him to let him know that Danni Bossard is here?"

"Dr. David Beckman," the older woman nodded and returned her smile. "If you’d like to have a seat over there, I’ll let you know when he returns the page." She motioned to several chairs in the lobby.

"Thank you." Danni smiled once again and took a seat from which she could see the information desk.

Within minutes the woman had motioned for Danni back to the desk where she was told of David’s involvement in a surgical procedure. "He asked me to direct you to his office for you to wait there for him." The older woman attempted to repeat his message word for word.

Danni agreed and was given directions to his fourth floor office.

Following the directions, she soon came upon a large wooden door with a shinny new placard on it reading, ‘Dr. David Beckman, General Surgery.’ Danni smiled realizing that the young medical student that she had first met was now known as a surgeon. It was all those years of growing in knowledge and skill that had brought on the friendship that they shared. The blonde woman closed her eyes wishing that she would still have his friendship when she came back out of the office after they had talked.

The nurse knocked gently then opened the door to the empty office. She looked around and could sense the man that used it. His love of cars was evident by the models that decorated his shelves and the calendar emblazoned with the Porsche emblem on the wall. "He may be practicing in West Virginia but he’s got a New York state of mind." Danni shook her head as she sat down to wait for him. The seat was comfortable and it soon conformed to her body as the minutes turned to hours waiting for his appearance. Waiting for David’s appearance reminded her of the many times that she sat waiting for her own surgeon, Garrett Trivoli, to meet her for the ride home.

***

The surgeon was restless. She’d sat in one position longer than she ever cared to and now it was time to get up and move about. Garrett gingerly lowered her leg, letting it hover just off the floor as she positioned the crutches under her arms for support. ‘How long did I sit like that?’ She looked at the clock on the hall stand. "It’s 1700 already?" Garrett couldn’t believe that she was missing the constant chatter and helpful interruptions of her roommate already.

The tall woman worked her shoulders before she started on her way roaming aimlessly around the first floor of the house. Each room reminded her of some moment in time that she had shared with Danni as they all came rushing back into her mind. The laughter, the joking, the stark reality of their profession when one of their patients didn’t make it, in fact, all the words, the thoughts, but most of all, the face of the blonde was what haunted her soul.

Garrett sighed considering what to do next to keep her busy. Then it came to her, ‘The Journal…Danni asked me to read it.’ She looked around the living room for it, then the hall stand. It was nowhere in sight. "Hmmm…I bet she forgot to bring it down." The woman smirked and shook her head. "Well, I guess it’s time for a bathroom break any way." She slowly turned around and headed for the stairs.

The slow and tedious ascent to the second floor was met with feelings of relief as she emerged from the bathroom, ready to sit down once again and begin to read Danni’s journal. She had faith that she’d be able to solve the puzzle of the young woman’s dreams if given enough time. She made her way to the nurse’s room and stopped before the door, hesitant at first to enter. "This is crazy! She said that I could read it. So what if I have to go into her room to get it?"

Garrett pushed open the door and was immediately hit by the fragrance that was Danni. She closed her eyes and savored it, letting it settle in her mind and soon she swore she felt her presence in the room with her. It was subtle but there, like the petite woman herself. As the surgeon entered the room, she eyed the journal on the nightstand and a wonderful thought came to her head. ‘Why not, perhaps it will help with the puzzle?’ The corners of her mouth gently turned upward until the open smile could not be controlled.

She made her way to the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. After getting herself comfortable, she reached for the book and turned on the small reading light. Settling into the pillows, Garrett reclined on the bed and began reading the small handwritten book filled with the bits and pieces of Danni’s dreams.

***

Between the lack of sleep the night before and the long drive to come to see David at his place of work, Danni had nodded off waiting for her friend to finish his surgery. It was one of the rare occasions where exhaustion overwrote her need for a blanket and pillow. Her petite body relaxed in the chair like it had been designed specifically for her comfort while wisp-like dreams of dark hair and the hint of leather came dancing across her mind. So engulfed in them was she, that the nurse didn’t even hear the door as it opened.

David stood looking at the blonde woman whose face was graced with love. There, in his very office, was the woman on whom he had carried a crush for his entire medical career. How peaceful she looked. He hoped that it was himself that she was dreaming of.

Without a noise or word, he moved to her side and gently placed a soft kiss upon her head, then leaned back waiting for her to wake up with his image in her eyes.

The quiet stirrings of eyelashes heralded the moment as the loving expression remained on her face. The softness of her voice immeasurable of the love that it carried with the single syllable that it uttered. "Gar?" Then slowly her eyes opened, revealing not the woman of her dreams but the man whose friendship she had shared for many years. It took her a minute before she realized where she was.

His brown eyes were transfixed to her form. He stood there wondering what she was thinking. Then slowly he realized that his likeness was not the one in her dream as the more she awoke her expression of love changed to one of mild embarrassment. He swallowed hard to choke back the emotion, then began to speak as if he had not seen the look on her face. "Danni, I’m sorry it took me so long in surgery. I…I lost track of time there for a while."

She pushed herself up into a more alert position letting the fog clear from her head. "That’s okay, I’m used to it. I know that nothing is ever predictable once you start a surgery."

David smiled at her, his eyes beaming with love. "Always the understanding one, aren’t you Danni?"

She blushed with embarrassment, the red color rising from her neck and up over her cheeks. "I try David. That’s all we can hope to do, is try to be understanding of one another."

"Say, why don’t I make up for it over dinner tonight? Let me take you out to the best restaurant in town here. We could do a little dancing to start off the night. What do you say? You don’t have to be anywhere, do you?" His eyes looked deeply into hers, pleading to be given the chance to make it up to her.

"David, I…"

"Come on, Danni. Hey, maybe we could take in a show if you don’t want do go dancing. Or maybe you just want to have a long, leisurely dinner filled with candlelight and conversation. Anything you want, just name it."

Danni smiled at his boyish charm then she bit back on her lip as she readied herself to speak. "David, I really just came to see you and talk. I don’t really think that dinner would be such a good idea. At least not right now." Her eyes searched his for understanding, then she ventured forward toward her goal.

"I was hoping that you might be…"

"Hiring?" His eyes lit up. "Are you thinking about coming here to work? I could talk to the Director of Nursing for you." He was delighted at the thought. "Have you seen our E.R.? I could show it to you right now."

"David I’m not interested in leaving Pittsburgh, at least not right now. I’ve made a commitment to the Flight Surgeon’s Team until the end of the staff year."

"You’re teamed up with Trivoli." David studied her face. "She’ll have offers from everywhere. So how about at the end of her Fellowship instead of teaming up with a new surgeon, why don’t you come here and team up with me?" He stared into her eyes, hoping for his eagerness to be returned. "We could see more of each other then, who knows we may even find out that we," David wiggled his eyebrows, "like each other better than friends."

Danni felt the realization of his words. Yes, he was right, Garrett could go anywhere she wanted, leaving the nurse and moving on in her career and life. She could feel the tear slowly spill over her eyelashes and roll down her cheek. The petite woman closed her eyes in an effort to stop the tears from continuing and to arrest her fears of losing the one thing that she had truly come to love, Garrett Trivoli.

"But I don’t want her to leave. We have so much going on with the Flight Team and the Lone Survivor’s Group that we started this year. I can’t…I don’t want to try to carry on without her by my side." Danni’s voice crackled with emotion. "I know that I can’t force her to stay, but I know that she would if she knew how much it means to me. How much she means to me."

David stood frozen in place. He’d never seen the blonde in front of him so emotional about anyone in all the years that he had known her. He saw the pain of anticipated loss etched on her face and immediately knew that he didn’t like what he was seeing. He had always thought of love when he thought of Danni. Now, seeing her on the edge of emotional upheaval brought a tear to his own eye as he reached out to her and wrapped her in his arms. He rocked her gently and talked in hushed tones trying to soothe her agony over events not charted yet. It was in this space of time that he saw what she was truly trying to tell him. She was in love with Garrett Trivoli!

Holding her at arm length, he studied her tear-streaked face, then mustered the courage to speak to his friend. "You love her, don’t you?" He waited to hear what her answer would be, already knowing it in his heart.

"Yes," she nodded slightly, "she’s touched my heart and my soul like no one has ever done before. David, I’m sorry. I know that you thought we…"

"Danni, what I thought and what is in your heart can be two totally different things. You have to choose what is right for you. No one else can, only you."

The nurse wiped her face with the back of her hand. "I never had feelings of love for anyone in my life, David. Friends, yes, but love," Danni shook her head and wiped away another tear. "I never dreamed that I’d have them for another woman. It’s taken me a little while to figure them out. I’m still trying to figure it all out. You’re not angry or mad because of my choice?"

"Danni, I had a friend in college who realized that she was gay. It’s not something that you wake up with one day and just decide from there. It’s something that takes time and a lot of rationalization to come to terms with. I know you, and I know that you only speak what is in your heart." He held open his arms and found them immediately filled with a blonde, quivering nurse. This time her tears were tears of joy at being accepted for what she was and hoped to be. "How could I be angry that you didn’t choose me?"

He paused then added, "Well, maybe just a little bit, you know, I had this God-awful crush on you the whole time I was in school and my residency."

She looked into his eyes, taken aback by his last statement. "I’m sorry." she whispered, "I never realized."

"All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. If Garrett Trivoli makes you happy then, that’s all I can ask for."

"If I told you that I want to have her in my world for the rest of my life, loving her and sharing myself with her, that wouldn’t upset you?

David swallowed and fought back the urge to plead his love for her one last time. "No, I’m just sorry that it couldn’t have been me."

"Thanks for being so understanding, David." The nurse felt the load on her shoulders lighten and the path was set for yet another person to know what was in her heart. Her only wish now was for Garrett to know.

#xena #xena warrior princess #xena/gabrielle #xena/gabrielle fanfiction #mature #femslash #fanfiction #author: k. darblyne

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