Her fingers, light and cool, ran through the hair by his temple and his breath caught. That one touch, like so many others that passed after being shot, brought a rush of emotions to the surface. After the last few empty years in Syria, he felt like he was drowning in this—drowning in Carrie.
Before she could pull away, his hand reached up to grab her wrist. Weakly, he held her there. Quinn needed to feel alive for just one more minute. There was so little time left…
Their eyes locked, and confusion filled hers for a moment. Quinn didn't know if her hesitation was about the situation or her unclear feelings for him. After all, they both could hear Jonas pacing less than 30ft away in the other room, and last time Quinn had made his feelings clear she ran. But after seconds that felt like hours, she stroked his hair again.
He closed his eyes, breathing shakily. Completely focused on her touch, he forgot his earlier hesitations. He forgot that every second Carrie was here with him, she was risking her life. He forgot that he was dying.
And when he opened his eyes, she was still combing through his hair, her face much closer to his.
Quinn's breath caught again, and she leaned forward to gently press her lips against his. Warmth spread through him, and he ached to pull her closer. But the wound left him at her mercy. She continued to kiss him gently but passionately, grazing his lips with her teeth and always running her hands through his silky hair.
Jonas coughed in the other room at some point, and Carrie pulled back hesitantly. She smiled as Quinn started breathing again, shakily. His eyes were wide with wonder and longing. Her smile grew with pleasure at the return of feelings that had been absent since the night of her father's funeral and, before that, Brody. But then came tears, as she realized that she would have to leave and that, without a trip to the hospital, he might leave her.
Tenderly, she pulled Quinn's face toward her to press a kiss to his forehead. She'd figure this out. The two of them finally had a second chance. In her arms, Quinn closed his eyes and sagged into her effortlessly, experiencing a sense of peace he hadn't felt in years.