The Hard Way
by Raye
summrbrez@yahoo.com
"The Hard Way"
by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Show a little inspiration, show a little spark
Show the things that drew me to you and stole my heart
Tell me something I don't know instead of everything I do
Look at me as if I mean something to you
Our hearts are beating while we sleep
But while we're wide awake, you know
The world won't stop and actions speak louder
Listen to your heart to what you heart might say
Everything we got, we got the hard way
Show a little passion, baby
Show a little style
Show the knack for knowing when and the gift for knowing how
And have a little trust in us when fear obscures the path
You know we got this far darling not by luck but by never turning back
No turning back
Some will call on destiny, but I just call on faith
That the world won't stop and actions speak louder
Listen to your heart to what you heart might say
Everything you got, you got the hard way
Caught up in our little lives, there's not a lot left over
I see what's missing in your eyes
You're searching for that field of clover
Show a little inspiration, show a little spark
Show the world a great big light when you show it your heart
We've got two lives
The one we're given and the other one we make
And the world won't stop and actions speak louder
Listen to your heart to what you heart might say
Everything we got, we got the hard way
Everything we got, we got the hard way
A woman wanders through a crowded agora. Not unexpectedly, she appears to
be looking for something. A small frown dampens a pretty face--apparently
she hasn't found what she needs. She is leaving a table filled with a
various assortment of goods, everything from hair combs to boot laces,
when a man emerges from the side street and approaches her, a joyful smile
on his face. "Hey, wait up! I got everything you--" He stops abruptly as
another, darker woman steps out from behind a scarf used to separate the
adjoining stalls. "Oh, uhm. Hi!" The man juggles his finds as he tries to
tuck them away in his pack, but only succeeds in drawing more attention to
the parcels.
"Find anything you needed?" The woman's startling blue eyes hold a hint of
amusement. She passes by them and adds with certainty, "We should be
leaving soon, a storm's coming."
A chill does seem to fill the air as the younger woman elbows the man, a
look of exasperation replacing the frown. She hurries away down the
street. Disappointment shows in the man's hunched shoulders and, now,
weary gait.
==
His hand brushes hers a moment too long. He quickly jerks it away leaving
the reins behind. "Sorry," he says. He runs his hand down the horse's neck
once more, then steps away. "Horse sure does like your apples." He shuts
his eyes firmly and blinks them open again to find her staring at him. He
throws his arms in front of himself. "That's not what...I usually...it
just"
"It's okay," she adds, grabbing at a flailing arm and working a hand into
his. "Could we talk? Maybe?" She winces slightly. "You're probably sick of
hearing me say that."
They walk to the edge of the lake and sit down on one of the flatter
rocks. Their voices fade in and out fighting for dominance over the sounds
of the night and the soft spring breeze. The day has faded taking most of
the light with it, but the man's look of disbelief is unmistakable as the
woman's lips leave his. They sit together, their hands linked loosely
until her head finds the crook of his neck, and he draws her near.
==
A young woman kneels by the side of the stream with her hands submerged in
the slow moving water. By appearance, she is an amazon; functional short
leather top and skirt, boots that hold some form of weaponry—the handles
of which protrude from their sheathes, her small, muscular body, relaxed,
yet aware. Shaking the excess water from her hands, she grasps the sides
of the cloth beside her and lifts the freshly-cleaned rabbit as she
stands.
Upon reaching the campfire, she lowers herself onto the ground across from
an awkward looking man. He wears an unusual set of armor, oddly hammered
and dangerously noisy. He moves from stirring the contents of the pot on
the fire and sits to the right of the woman. A creak and clang signal his
descent.
She skewers the bits of rabbit and raises up slightly to place them on the
fire to cook. As she settles back, his arm goes around her. She turns, an
easy smile on her face. Her eyes dance along the features of his face, her
hands soon follow, her lips next. His head dips down, lips taking hers
with a passion not outwardly discerned.
She breaks the kiss with a warning. "She'll be back anytime, now."
He laces his fingers through her short blonde hair and looks at her
wistfully. "Why do we still keep it a secret?"
"I want you all to myself for awhile." She whispers the words huskily into
his ear and works a hand beneath his tunic, fingers caressing heated
flesh.
Laughing, the man's face broadens into a more befitting comical
expression, and he whines, "You don't want to hear her 'I told you so's.'
" He stays her hand and they separate hastily at the sound of twigs giving
way in the woods before them. A quick exchange of "I love you's" and a
final swift kiss end another stolen moment for the pair.
==
"Hades!" Her voice sounds unusually throaty in the cool, quiet of morning.
"I should have strapped on my sandals," she mutters to herself. A pale
foot kicks out. The sun, which has only just begun its ascent into the
deep blue autumn sky, pushes through the dense forest behind the old
cottage. The woman's face is illuminated showing a twitch at the corner of
her mouth, that and a small sigh evidence the satisfaction at having
successfully dislodged the offending pebble. It lands without a sound in
the dewy grass a few steps off the rock-pitted path.
She hurries forward, mindful of her footing and the bucket that swings
gently by her side with every step. The damp hem of her skirt clings to a
still well-formed calf. A few quick steps across cool flagstones and she
pushes against the heavy door. The wood is warm and smooth beneath her
hand. In one fluid movement her foot hooks the door closed behind her. She
places the bucket on the low table situated under the front wall's
solitary window. Her hand moves beneath the table, and she tsks quietly.
Leaning down, she peers into the darkness—pots, strainers, vases, but no
basin.
She stands upright, head turning slowly from side to side as her eyes
touch upon every shadow. Suddenly, her hand moves up to her forehead and
her eyes close briefly. "Berries," she says, eyes rolling to look at the
ceiling. She drops her hand to her waist and steps around the dining
table. She walks across the room to where the fire crackles with renewed
strength. Bending down slowly, she removes the basin from its resting
place on the hearth, then returns to her work table to continue her
morning routine.
After filling the basin, she hums softly to herself as she tugs a rag from
its peg. She shows no sign of surprise when a creak sounds from the short
staircase leading to the loft, and a deeper humming joins her own. By the
time his arms encircle her and his face presses gently against hers, the
tune they hum together has transformed into one learned in days long since
past. She closes her eyes and leans into his warmth, breathing in his
smell, savoring the taste of his sweet skin as she place a kiss on his
cheek.
"Mmm. That's nice." He pulls back slightly letting his gaze roam freely
over her face, settling on her eyes. The woman breaks the silence after a
few moments. "My neck's starting to hurt." She says the words
matter-of-factly, making no move to remedy the encroaching discomfort.
Instead, she reaches her free hand up and trails her fingertips along his
jaw line and up to his cheek. "I love you," she says.
His eyes nearly close as he leans in, his lips almost touching hers. "I
know, but I still have trouble believing it, sometimes." Her breath
mingles with his as she responds. "I guess I was like everything else in
your life.." She pauses, discarding the wet, still unused rag. She drops
her other hand from his face and moves it along his chest finally working
it around his waist as she twists to join his embrace. Her lips brush
against his as she speaks. "I'm afraid, everything you got, you got it the
hard way."
"I'd've waited forever for you."
"And I nearly made you."
"Shut up and kiss me."
Their lips join, but there is no urgency in the touch. It is a slow
caress, no more than a gentle sigh.
The End.
Author's Note: Much thanks to Lori for the Mary Chapin Carpenter lyrics!
"Xena: Warrior Princess" is ©MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures.
"The Hard Way" written by Mary Chapin Carpenter ©1992
©2000, Raye. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior
written permission is prohibited.
This is not for profit. Copies for personal use only must include all
copyrights and disclaimers.
by Raye
summrbrez@yahoo.com
"The Hard Way"
by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Show a little inspiration, show a little spark
Show the things that drew me to you and stole my heart
Tell me something I don't know instead of everything I do
Look at me as if I mean something to you
Our hearts are beating while we sleep
But while we're wide awake, you know
The world won't stop and actions speak louder
Listen to your heart to what you heart might say
Everything we got, we got the hard way
Show a little passion, baby
Show a little style
Show the knack for knowing when and the gift for knowing how
And have a little trust in us when fear obscures the path
You know we got this far darling not by luck but by never turning back
No turning back
Some will call on destiny, but I just call on faith
That the world won't stop and actions speak louder
Listen to your heart to what you heart might say
Everything you got, you got the hard way
Caught up in our little lives, there's not a lot left over
I see what's missing in your eyes
You're searching for that field of clover
Show a little inspiration, show a little spark
Show the world a great big light when you show it your heart
We've got two lives
The one we're given and the other one we make
And the world won't stop and actions speak louder
Listen to your heart to what you heart might say
Everything we got, we got the hard way
Everything we got, we got the hard way
A woman wanders through a crowded agora. Not unexpectedly, she appears to
be looking for something. A small frown dampens a pretty face--apparently
she hasn't found what she needs. She is leaving a table filled with a
various assortment of goods, everything from hair combs to boot laces,
when a man emerges from the side street and approaches her, a joyful smile
on his face. "Hey, wait up! I got everything you--" He stops abruptly as
another, darker woman steps out from behind a scarf used to separate the
adjoining stalls. "Oh, uhm. Hi!" The man juggles his finds as he tries to
tuck them away in his pack, but only succeeds in drawing more attention to
the parcels.
"Find anything you needed?" The woman's startling blue eyes hold a hint of
amusement. She passes by them and adds with certainty, "We should be
leaving soon, a storm's coming."
A chill does seem to fill the air as the younger woman elbows the man, a
look of exasperation replacing the frown. She hurries away down the
street. Disappointment shows in the man's hunched shoulders and, now,
weary gait.
==
His hand brushes hers a moment too long. He quickly jerks it away leaving
the reins behind. "Sorry," he says. He runs his hand down the horse's neck
once more, then steps away. "Horse sure does like your apples." He shuts
his eyes firmly and blinks them open again to find her staring at him. He
throws his arms in front of himself. "That's not what...I usually...it
just"
"It's okay," she adds, grabbing at a flailing arm and working a hand into
his. "Could we talk? Maybe?" She winces slightly. "You're probably sick of
hearing me say that."
They walk to the edge of the lake and sit down on one of the flatter
rocks. Their voices fade in and out fighting for dominance over the sounds
of the night and the soft spring breeze. The day has faded taking most of
the light with it, but the man's look of disbelief is unmistakable as the
woman's lips leave his. They sit together, their hands linked loosely
until her head finds the crook of his neck, and he draws her near.
==
A young woman kneels by the side of the stream with her hands submerged in
the slow moving water. By appearance, she is an amazon; functional short
leather top and skirt, boots that hold some form of weaponry—the handles
of which protrude from their sheathes, her small, muscular body, relaxed,
yet aware. Shaking the excess water from her hands, she grasps the sides
of the cloth beside her and lifts the freshly-cleaned rabbit as she
stands.
Upon reaching the campfire, she lowers herself onto the ground across from
an awkward looking man. He wears an unusual set of armor, oddly hammered
and dangerously noisy. He moves from stirring the contents of the pot on
the fire and sits to the right of the woman. A creak and clang signal his
descent.
She skewers the bits of rabbit and raises up slightly to place them on the
fire to cook. As she settles back, his arm goes around her. She turns, an
easy smile on her face. Her eyes dance along the features of his face, her
hands soon follow, her lips next. His head dips down, lips taking hers
with a passion not outwardly discerned.
She breaks the kiss with a warning. "She'll be back anytime, now."
He laces his fingers through her short blonde hair and looks at her
wistfully. "Why do we still keep it a secret?"
"I want you all to myself for awhile." She whispers the words huskily into
his ear and works a hand beneath his tunic, fingers caressing heated
flesh.
Laughing, the man's face broadens into a more befitting comical
expression, and he whines, "You don't want to hear her 'I told you so's.'
" He stays her hand and they separate hastily at the sound of twigs giving
way in the woods before them. A quick exchange of "I love you's" and a
final swift kiss end another stolen moment for the pair.
==
"Hades!" Her voice sounds unusually throaty in the cool, quiet of morning.
"I should have strapped on my sandals," she mutters to herself. A pale
foot kicks out. The sun, which has only just begun its ascent into the
deep blue autumn sky, pushes through the dense forest behind the old
cottage. The woman's face is illuminated showing a twitch at the corner of
her mouth, that and a small sigh evidence the satisfaction at having
successfully dislodged the offending pebble. It lands without a sound in
the dewy grass a few steps off the rock-pitted path.
She hurries forward, mindful of her footing and the bucket that swings
gently by her side with every step. The damp hem of her skirt clings to a
still well-formed calf. A few quick steps across cool flagstones and she
pushes against the heavy door. The wood is warm and smooth beneath her
hand. In one fluid movement her foot hooks the door closed behind her. She
places the bucket on the low table situated under the front wall's
solitary window. Her hand moves beneath the table, and she tsks quietly.
Leaning down, she peers into the darkness—pots, strainers, vases, but no
basin.
She stands upright, head turning slowly from side to side as her eyes
touch upon every shadow. Suddenly, her hand moves up to her forehead and
her eyes close briefly. "Berries," she says, eyes rolling to look at the
ceiling. She drops her hand to her waist and steps around the dining
table. She walks across the room to where the fire crackles with renewed
strength. Bending down slowly, she removes the basin from its resting
place on the hearth, then returns to her work table to continue her
morning routine.
After filling the basin, she hums softly to herself as she tugs a rag from
its peg. She shows no sign of surprise when a creak sounds from the short
staircase leading to the loft, and a deeper humming joins her own. By the
time his arms encircle her and his face presses gently against hers, the
tune they hum together has transformed into one learned in days long since
past. She closes her eyes and leans into his warmth, breathing in his
smell, savoring the taste of his sweet skin as she place a kiss on his
cheek.
"Mmm. That's nice." He pulls back slightly letting his gaze roam freely
over her face, settling on her eyes. The woman breaks the silence after a
few moments. "My neck's starting to hurt." She says the words
matter-of-factly, making no move to remedy the encroaching discomfort.
Instead, she reaches her free hand up and trails her fingertips along his
jaw line and up to his cheek. "I love you," she says.
His eyes nearly close as he leans in, his lips almost touching hers. "I
know, but I still have trouble believing it, sometimes." Her breath
mingles with his as she responds. "I guess I was like everything else in
your life.." She pauses, discarding the wet, still unused rag. She drops
her other hand from his face and moves it along his chest finally working
it around his waist as she twists to join his embrace. Her lips brush
against his as she speaks. "I'm afraid, everything you got, you got it the
hard way."
"I'd've waited forever for you."
"And I nearly made you."
"Shut up and kiss me."
Their lips join, but there is no urgency in the touch. It is a slow
caress, no more than a gentle sigh.
The End.
Author's Note: Much thanks to Lori for the Mary Chapin Carpenter lyrics!
"Xena: Warrior Princess" is ©MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures.
"The Hard Way" written by Mary Chapin Carpenter ©1992
©2000, Raye. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior
written permission is prohibited.
This is not for profit. Copies for personal use only must include all
copyrights and disclaimers.