Winking Tiger E-mail: Mblab6@aol.com November 30, 2001
Author's Note: I'm not completely sure why I wrote this, or where the idea even really came from--it just kind of came. It's from wrote it itself, temporarily taking my fingers hostage. But the thought came across my mind, and through my fingers, and *poof* onto my computer.
This was written long ago, winter of '01. However, I felt the urge that something as sappy as this was needed at a time like it is now. Please, don't flame me. I've got very little experience in writing, especially FanFiction. And I'd had even less experience when this was written. Only my own brain and my computer have had much to do with this, no betas or such have come in--so please keep that in mind. Just take this as it is, please, and enjoy of it what you can.
Spoilers/Time frame: Past Seasons 1 & 2/AU future
Disclaimer: I own nothingThe glimmer of stars glowed upon the vast darkness. Lighted only by a full harvest moon, rich with color, the setting was a beautiful fall scene. Along with the reflection of the full moon, the tides of the black lake moved and shined upon the inky water. In the corner of the rivulet, the reflection of an ancient tree could be seen. Two shadowy figures were just barely visible beside the tree's reflection. If glanced at only once, the pair wouldn't be seen, instead dismissed as an optical illusion or an odd shadow of some natural body. However, the two were very real and not an illusion.
They were merely very still. The smaller shape was leaning upon the larger, the larger upon the tree's trunk. Only the wind could be heard, making a soft rattle between the leaves of the trees. Neither spoke a word, to each other or to any other. Silent words were said, however; as close as the two figures were, words had to be spoken. Their words were simply were on a deeper plane than those of most people.
Beneath the couple now sitting down, on the ground, was a blanket. Beneath the blanket was a soft lining of grass, giving a springy cushion. Suddenly the smaller figure slowly reached to the man behind her. Lovingly she wiped away a drop of moisture from his arm. Moments later, his grasp on her middle tightened anew and the two began to gaze again at their surroundings.
Content with their current pose, they remained relatively still again, the calm only disrupted by the occasional movement of his hand and arm against hers. In his own way he tried to give gentle reassurance of his love and caring, calm any fears or doubts she may have had, and smother them with the strength with which he would supply her. His efforts were successful, for she was quiet, calm and relaxed there. In an unsettling world, she was suddenly safe and secure, standing near him.
So the hours passed, the two continuing as the previous hours had, enjoying them equally as much—together. The moon moved only partway across the sky. The stars still aligned in their constellations, and the night's sky only darkened.
Yet, the still and undisturbed nature of the night was interrupted abruptly by a string of loving and soft words. "Those stars--above us, they're so amazing. Look, it's so bright. Shine's down at us with such strength—you'd never know it was dead. Over there--that one—it could be long dead and turning in it's grave. But there it is, sure as day, right above us. That's ... that is ... that's really incredible."
"They are, aren't they? You know, they may be dead and in their own time, but they're still here for us, right now. Why not enjoy beauty when you have it?" he said, looking right into her eyes.
After a long silence preceded by a blush, she spoke again. "You can't possibly understand, can you?"
"What?" he asked in confusion, unable to think of anything he'd done wrong.
"Understand...understand what you do to me. How amazing you are...how amazing you are to me."
"Oh."
"Oh? I'd think such an amazing man would be able to produce something more than 'Oh'!" she teased, the seriousness of the situation suddenly lessening.
"Well, how about, 'Oh, thank you.' Or maybe, 'Oh, well, you know, I'm nothing compared to you. A shadow to your bright flame, just happy to be receiving your warmth."
Another blush overcame her features and it became quiet again. "Oh."
"Really, 'Oh'? You know, I'd think such an amazing woman would be able to produce something other than 'Oh'!"
"Think you're a wise guy, don't you? Flatter a girl and get away with murder there, huh? Well, then, I've got a reality that I think needs to come your way."
"Really? That reality would happen to be what?"
"Well, it'd be that flattery can get you everywhere, but be careful how you play with that fire."
"Oho, so that was the reality there? I was expecting to get burnt already. Nice to know I've got a daring damsel out to rescue me."
"Damsel, huh? I don't how well I play the damsel, but I'd always be out to look after you."
"So who's spreading that flattery now? 'Watch out for that fire there,' was it?"
"So what, you can play too? Knew that already."
"No, it's better than merely playing. I'm beating you in spades!"
"Really? You must have an invisible but powerful hand there, because I don't see any of those spades you've got."
"It just so happens I do. See, there's this really amazing girl. And, well, I really like her. You know--don't tell her this--I really love her. But see, we couldn't keep it together when things started to get better after they'd been so bad. And I went through hell trying not to worry about her. And then I wound up having to go help this girl--that I wasn't supposed to think about—anyway, because I cared for her too much not to. And now I've got her back for good. That amazing girl, she's mine--only mine. But she's got this great ring, too; that I got for her all by myself. It says how much I love her and how much I wanted her to be mine. And we went in front of all these people that we loved and cared for, and she proved to me too just how much she cared. And now she's not just this amazing girl I know; she's my wife too."
"Logan Cale! Who's that girl you're cheating on your wife with? Huh?"
"Actually, I think you may know her. You'd really get along great with her. She's beautiful, just like you. She's got these beautiful dark eyes that get this silver in them when I know she really cares about something. And she's got such moves about her too. You may have met your match in this girl I know."
"Really? I don't know anyone like that."
"I think you do. Because, you know, I can see her from here."
"Uh oh, I think we've got a stalker here, some wack girl followin' my man around in the middle of the night with his wife. Girl's got some problems there. Sure she's as great as you said she was?"
"No, she's not. She's better than you think. Words don't even offer the slightest aid in explaining how amazing she is to me."
"Well, if you're just so infatuated, I'd like to meet this girl of yours."
"You do, do you? I think I can handle that."
Before she'd been given the chance to answer back, a surprise awaited her. Soft lips had descended, on a mission with an underlying objective of passion and love.
Soon, possibly too soon, the sun began to rise. The darkness of the night began to diminish. The vibrant shades of the beautiful sun melted into the horizon, and began to engulf the black. The stars and moon were quickly replaced by clouds of faint oranges, yellows, and pinks. So the two stirred and made an attempt to rise. They dusted off the leaves that had fallen onto them after falling from the trees' branches in the winds of the night, gathered all their belongings, and attempted to leave. A quick glance at the water beside them, now containing the reflection of the rising sun, and the remaining views surrounding once more. Arm around shoulder, they walked off. Silently the two continued on their journey, each content with what was found in the other.