He'd had his eye on her all night. She looked especially beautiful tonight in that dress. He found it hard to take his eyes off her, and he was sure that she'd caught him looking a few times. She didn't seem to mind though, not at all. What he didn't realise is that she had her eye on him all night as well. Marcus hadn't noticed that and he thought that she was way out of his league, but a guy can dream right? Does she even realise just how beautiful she is. He suspected that she didn't, which made him like her even more. It had been a long evening and Anya hadn't realised just how much the alhohol had gone to her head.
When she got up to leave, the wine and the high heels were definitely not a good mix. She was definitely a bit tipsy and certainly shouldn't have to make her own way home. Insisting that she was fine he knew otherwise. Being a gentleman, he offered to take her back to her apartment. Linking her arm in his, they made there way out of the hotel. He didn't say that much to her, just checked to see that she was ok. She wasn't what you'd call ok, but it's never easy losing a parent. She asked if he was ok, but she knew he probably wasn't, it's never easy to lose a brother. He helped her into the back of the cab, and he sat in the front. She noticed him catching quick glances of her in the front mirror. She had no idea what was going to happen tonight. Was he just being a gentleman, taking her home, then saying goodnight? Or was he coming with her into her apartment. The not knowing was exciting and she hoped it was the latter. She'd been trying to get him to make a move since she first met him and she hoped that tonight, he finally would. If he didn't, she would. When they got back to her apartment, there was an awkward silence before she finally said,
"Would you like to come in for a coffee or something"
He took a moment to reply, contemplating what may happen if he they did go into the apartment together.
"Sure" He replied "Coffee would be good"
They both went inside. She invited him to take a seat while she went into the kitchen to make some coffee.
"It'll just be a few minutes" she said. There was an awkward silence between them as they both realised that they hadn't really been alone together before. Anya was the first to break the silence.
"Thank you. For making sure that I got home safe"
"That's ok. You seemed a little, tipsy so I thought you shouldn't be alone"
Anya smiled at him, then went back to the kitchen to pour out the coffee. She came back with a mug in each hand and sat down next to him on the couch. They sat there in silence for a few minutes sipping their coffee slowly. Finally, Marcus spoke
"So, how are you doing"
"I'll be ok, it was only a little wine" she replied
"That's not what I meant Anya" He said, gently putting his mug down on the coffee table. "I don't know if you want to talk about it. But I know how hard it is losing someone"
Anya wasn't really doing ok. Losing her mother was the hardest thing she'd been through.
"I'm, ok" she said unconvincingly.
"Because it's ok if your not Anya"
Anya didn't want to burden him with her troubles. Especially since he had lost his best friend who was like a brother to him.
"What about you Marcus. Are you ok?" she asked, knowing that was a stupid question. Marcus was never really one for talking things through. But with Anya, he felt that he might just be able to open up a little bit.
"I don't know Anya"
She understood what he meant by that, she didn't know how she felt at the moment.
"I understand" She replied.
"You know, I became a Gear because I wanted to protect people, I wanted to fight for them so they didn't have to. Isn't that what the army is for?"
"I guess it is" She agreed
"Well, how can I carry on, when I couldn't even save him"
"Marcus, you can't think like that. Your a good soldier, I mean you a hero for goodness sake"
"Yeah. I sure don't feel like one"
"You have a medal that says otherwise" She said
"Had a medal. I buried in Carlos's grave"
"That's really sweet Marcus"
He managed a small smile. Anya wanted to say something, anything to help console him, but she couldn't think of anything. Mom would know what to say" Thinking of her Mom again suddenly made her emotional, and suddenly out of nowhere, tears started to fall form her eyes, she didn't even realise at first. Marcus noticed straight away. He was uncomfortable with the situation and wasn't really sure what to do. But he brought her back here to make sure she was ok and that's just what he was going to do. He placed his hand over hers. Without thinking, she rested her head on his shoulder as her tears had now formed into sobs. He put his arm around her without thinking twice about it.
"I'm so sorry Marcus" She said between sobs "You have so much to deal with, maybe you should go"
"I'm not going to leave now Anya, not when your like this. I don't want you to be alone"
She moved closer as he put both his arms around her.
"Thank you" she said softly.
She relaxed into his arms and they both stayed that way for a while, nothing needing to be said.
Short sweet chapter. I may continue it. Seemed like the right point to end it here.
