To Tame A Shadow
'You Bond's have a problem with your lovers, don't you? I'm going to make you watch him drown. Just like your father had to watch his, it's almost poetic no?' The words mocked me, the same as my lungs begged for air. Pulling myself through the hole in the cage ignoring everything except the goal in front of me, it was the only thing that mattered now. I reached for the water blurred figure, fighting against biology and elements for him. Grabbing hold of his hand only to have it pull away, tucking under mine instead. 'I-M S-O-R-R-Y' was what was signed into my hand his fingers brushing my palm instead barely a ghost of a pause between the words, with his hand pressing against mine before going slack.
Of course, they give basic militia training even to technicians. Well, damn training to hell, damn everything to hell. I'm not letting him slip away that easily. Forcefully, taking handfuls of his damn cardigan and using any amount for leverage. For once I was cursing my thin feminine frame.
Adjusting his limp dead weight over my shoulders once we where in open water. He had just barely lost consciousness I still had a little time. Not nearly as much as I needed. Aiming upwards towards the light above the water ignoring the burning in my lungs and the black spots in my vision.
Well, at least he wouldn't die alone this way- how Romeo and Juliet The fire in my muscles was nearly unbearable. The glimmer of the suns light fell farther away. As my heavy oxygen deprived body refused to move, the heavy weight of Q over me only helped to drag me to the bottom. My mind wandered as it started to fail.
'Romeo and Juliet was a horrible love story. If they'd just calmed down and planned it out better they could have lived happily ever after.' Muttered the drunk dark haired man leaning into my side, waving the beer bottle around to emphasize his point.
'Yes, thank you, finally someone that agrees with me. I've always said that princess bride is a far better story.' I giggled into his hair, sipping from my own beer.
'Then I will be the Westley to your princess buttercup, willing to fight for you even past the reach of death. Nothing could keep me from loving you, shadow.' He hummed, shifting over to kiss me. Taking the bottle from my hand to put both on the table, as he laid me back on the couch. No intent to ever go to bed.
The memory of the first time we had watched a remake of the old love story. Bruised and tired after a long mission not caring enough to change the channel, just glad to have each other and a decent beer. It all made my mind snap back into focus. That night had been the first time he made love to me. It was the first time anyone had truly made love to me. He was the first person to treat me as a lover. Not just a pretty girl to pick out of the bar but a beautiful woman to care for. He was the only one I could ever give my heart to. To want to give him a piece of me, want him to be more then just a random mark. With nothing more then his unwavering love, he made me care in a way no one else had. I was not going to lay down and drown like some spoilt brat. I would have my princess bride ending. So no, I'm not going to die- neither of us would. I forced leaden muscles to move, fighting for the surface of the water. I would not let go of life with anything but bared teeth and fierce refusal in my heart. The light from above was that of hope- hope for a tomorrow.
Breaching the surface of the water was a miracle, I would not soon forget. Filling my lungs with air in coughing heaves as my lungs tried to expel the water I had taken in. I was nearly dragged under into the water again by the limp body on my shoulders and my own exhausted body. Another few strokes from protesting muscles brought me to the edge of the pool.
I lifted him on to the concrete ledge before me, after a quick scan of the area. Of course our captures would be gone, they would have expected us to drowned. That would be their mistake. Jumping on to the ledge myself my body shaking with exhaustion, but I didn't have any time to spare for rest.
"Come on Q, give me something, anything. Just one little sign that's all I want." I panted, patting his cheek. I put two fingers to his neck under his chin checking for a pulse even a feeble one, nothing. I held them a second longer in hope, but there was no pulse.
"No Q, you can't do this to me. Not like this, come on. Come on, Quinn please no!" I yelled, using what strength I could from my arms to start compressing his chest. Not having time to rip off that damn cardigan of his.
His normally dark messy hair was plastered to his head, and his glasses had been left in the cage. He looked so peaceful, I could almost be fooled to think he was sleeping. Hastily I shoved the unruly sopping mass of my black hair over my shoulder and out of my way. I bent down to give him air, opening his mouth to press my lips to his.
His lips were cold and unresponsive it was an unsettling feeling from the man who was always so warm and responsive towards me. Forcing the breath into his lungs in spite of these thoughts and the doubt creeping in to my heart. Snapping back to reality and returning to compressions.
"No, no, no Quinn you can't leave me. You promised me bastard. You promised! Quinn please, just one breath. Just anything besides this, please. Damn it, don't leave me!" I cried, leaning over Q beating on his chest in vain.
Lost in the searing pain in my heart it was worst then the burn from my body when I thought I might drown. Most of all it was worst then any of the torture I had suffered before. I should have died next to him, god should have granted me that reprieve at least. What could I do without him? How was I supposed to live the rest of my life without Quinn next to me? I gave into my tears and pain.
Authors Note: And here we start with a new story. So I planed on putting the first chapter up a week after this one but, my editor decided to slice their thumb open. (Their fine now.) So were going to have to just start in with a every other week posting schedule to try and compensate for the lag that will create. I will try to keep to that schedule as best I can, life crises exempted. I think that's all for now just remember to read, love, and review. See you soon.