"Are you checking me out?" She asks.
"No." But he looks down ashamed.
She looks him in the eye and understands that he was. It sounds crazy, but he knows that she knows that he knows. God, he really was looking at her body! She went for a swim. What else there to do on this island? Now he's afraid that she'll feel strange around him. She's the only one who understands him and he does something stupid to ruin it.
"Don't worry. I'm not offended." She says shortly, taking a towel from his hands.
She likes to know that he's concerned. And surprisingly she likes to feel his eyes on her. It doesn't feel strange or betrayed. She feels alive. He makes her feel alive.
Alive.
"We should head back to the caves." He says, trying to avoid her gaze.
"Aren't you staying at the beach?" She wonders, drying her hair with the towel he'd brought her.
"I'll walk you." He explains.
She looks up at him. He's about to go a long way to the caves and back only to make sure she'll be fine, unharmed. He does it every time. That is what she loves in him. He's always there. Always by her side. That's exactly what she wants. Exactly what she needs.
"Are you sure? It's a long way." She says finally.
"Of course. It's not safe to go there alone." He picks up her shirt from the sand and hands it to her. Jeans are already on her.
"Ok." She answers softly, taking her shirt and putting it right on the upper part of the wet swimsuit.
They are going through the jungles in comfortable silence. He glances at her once in a while just to make sure she's alright. Or that's what he's trying to convince himself in. He looks again, but this time she catches him. They stop. Or is it time that actually stopped? It could be on this island. He can't tear his eyes off her. She knows that. And she can't either. She's caught in his eyes. One thing that amazes her is there color. She could never fully understand what color they are. Sometimes it's sky blue, other time she can see green sparks in them. But once they changed to the sea color. It was when he couldn't save a girl in the sea. But she never blamed him for that. She knows he did everything he could…
He could see her sink into frustration. She does that often. He can remember no less then a thousand times when she did that. But he doesn't mind. At all.
"We should go." He interrupts her moment.
"Yes. Yes. We should." She repeats and they continue their trip.
And then he does the most unlikely thing. For him at least. He takes her hand in his, gently as if she's fragile. Or maybe he's just afraid that she'll take it away. But she doesn't. She just smiles to herself at this small gesture that means a lot to both of them.
At the arrival to the caves she sighs deeply. He has to go back. She knows, but wants him to stay so badly. He's the only one that keeps her sane here.
And he can see it in her eyes. But nonetheless he turns to leave. Then she suddenly turns around and comes up to her. It catches her breath.
"I'll come tomorrow morning. We can go for a walk." He says, looking straight at her.
"That'd be nice." She answers.
And then he does even more unlikely thing. He steps closer and lends a soft kiss on her cheek. She smiles, a bit confused, but still smiles. He sees that and smiles in return.
"See you tomorrow." And this time he turns to leave for today.
"See you." She says for only him to hear and heads for her small but cozy shelter.
This night neither of them can sleep. He tries but fails. He seats up and looks at the stormy sea. It calms him down, but it also reminds him of Her.
She looks at the small fire at the other end of the cave. Fire reminds her of Him. And she accepts it.
"Good night, Boone." She whispers and she feels the wind take the words out of her mouth even before they are said and carry them away.
On the other side of the island, on the beach, he can swear he hears a faint voice and in a couple minuets he's asleep.