Chapter one: Crash

'Red, are we going to make it to the next town; this snow's starting to get really heavy?'

'I don't know, sweetheart. However, if we go back, we're just as likely to get stuck. We must be about halfway across the pass by now'

'God, I can't believe this. We came so close to getting to the airfield. Now we're gonna be stuck in the wilderness!'

'We couldn't have predicted the freeway having that accident. Don't worry, Lizzy, I've been in far worse predicaments before. We're gonna be okay'.

Ten miles later and the snow was so heavy that Red could barely see through the windscreen. His vision was not aided by the fact that nightfall had come and the glare of the headlights reflected back off the falling snow. Liz had fallen asleep, exhausted by yet another long, crazy day of being a fugitive and he didn't want to wake her but knew that pulling over and waiting for the snow to abate a little was the only real option. Just as he was about to try to find somewhere safe to pull in, a deer ran right out in front of the car.

'Shit….'

Red grappled with the steering wheel but once the car started skidding there was no way he was getting it back under control. Not with all the snow on the ground. They flew sideways towards the edge of the road. Next thing they knew the car had flipped down the verge into the trees. Both were dazed but at least the car had stopped moving.

'Lizzy, talk to me, are you okay?'

'Yeah, I'm…, I'm okay. What happened?'

'There was a deer. I'm sorry, I jerked the wheel too hard and lost traction. God, my head….'.

'Red, let me see'

Liz undid her belt and bent towards where Red was leaning forward in his seat. There was blood pouring from a wound on his temple. However, despite the amount of blood, the cut looked fairly superficial.

'It's okay, it's just a cut. Can't see anything in it. Let me just hold my scarf on it a moment'.

'Thanks, don't worry, I'll be okay. But we really need to see about getting out of this car and finding some shelter'

'Wouldn't we be better off staying here? I mean, at least we'll be dry and protected from the wind'

'True, but the way this storm's getting worse, I don't like our chances of not freezing to death anyway. And we don't have anywhere near enough food and water to last long. I get the feeling this road is going to be impassable now so we can't rely on anyone finding us. We need to see if there's anything nearby. I'm not completely sure but I think I saw a mailbox about half a mile back. Hopefully there's a house or cabin or something back off the road'.

They managed to scramble out of the car, only to be hit by the freezing cold wind and were immediately up to their knees in the snow lying in the deep verge by the road. Neither of them was wearing clothes that would keep them warm for long and their footwear certainly wasn't appropriate.

'Lizzy, we're gonna have to grab our essentials and make our way back quickly. It's not gonna take too long before this cold saps our energy. Come on, put on my coat, yours won't protect you. Thankfully, I'm a man of many coats so I'll be okay', he smirked.

'Uh-uh, yeah, for once I approve of your need to travel with a portable wardrobe'.

Red laughed and they both scrambled up the bank, having grabbed their bags from the trunk of the car. Turning back the way they had come they started walking purposefully back towards where Red sincerely hoped he was right about having seen a mailbox.

The road was almost impossible to walk on due to the depth of the snow but the rough ground either side was even worse. After twenty long minutes, they were both exhausted and there was still no sign yet of the mailbox Red thought he had seen.

'Red, I'm starting to think it wasn't a mailbox you saw. Maybe it was just a road sign or…'

'There it is! Ha, I knew it. What were you saying, Lizzy?'

'Smart-ass', Liz grinned back at him.

They got to the mailbox and sure enough it seemed like it was for a domestic property as the only word on it was 'Jamieson'. The track leading away from the road was barely big enough to fit a car down but at least it did seem to be a proper driveway that would lead somewhere helpful, rather than a path to nowhere. The snow was just as deep on the track as it had been on the road, despite the tree cover overhead.

'God, I can't feel my feet, Red. These shoes were seriously not made for the snow'.

'Would you like me to carry you? Mine are keeping my feet warm rather gloriously. Never skimp on the quality of your footwear, Lizzy', Red smirked.

'No, I would not like you to carry me! And if you don't wipe that smug grin off your face in the next two seconds, you're gonna find your handmade Italian shoes hanging from the branches of that tree'.

Despite her harsh words, Liz couldn't help but smile back at Red. Even in a situation like this, he just had to tease her to take her mind off things. They trudged on together, both hoping desperately that this wasn't a long driveway.

Another exhausting ten minutes later and they were still huffing and puffing their way up the slope, which had now increased in gradient. Red was just about to suggest they take a short breather when suddenly Liz yelped and fell to the ground. Red was at her side in a heartbeat.

'Sweetheart, what's wrong? Are you okay?'

'My knee. God, ow, it hurts'.

'What happened?'

'I'm not sure. I think I trod on something hidden under the snow….. Ahhhh…. Damn, it's sore. I think I've twisted my knee. Dammit!'

Red tenderly felt her knee to ascertain if she might've broken anything. Although Liz hissed with pain when he gently prodded at the joint, she let him continue.

'Yeah, I think it's just a sprain or a strain. You'll be able to put some weight on it but not bend or move it much. Come on, let's get you up'.

With much grunting and a few choice swear words from Liz, they managed between them to get her to her feet. She balanced precariously, one hand gripping Red's shoulder hard enough to leave a bruise.

'There's no way in hell I can walk on this Red, it feels like it's gonna explode'.

'Okay, well, give me your bag. And put your arm around my neck. I'll take the weight of that knee. It's gonna take us a bit longer to get wherever the hell we're going but don't worry, we'll get there'.

Red smiled at Liz reassuringly and in that moment, despite the dire situation they were in and the screaming agony coming from her knee, she couldn't help but smile back at him. He always remained so positive, no matter what. His enthusiasm was infectious. And, quite honestly, there was no one else she'd rather be stuck with in the freezing cold woods with a busted knee.

Once they were able to work out a rhythm of walking together, their progress was steady. Slow, but steady. With the snow falling ever heavier though, it was now imperative they find shelter soon. Red started to curse quietly under his breath, knowing that if they got stuck out in this, they'd both freeze.

Liz was just about to ask what he was muttering about when something caught her eye through the trees.

'Red, look, that's a building, right?'

Red looked up and squinted through the falling snow. There was definitely some kind of shadow there of an unnatural shape.

'Yes, Lizzy, well-spotted! That could be our home for the night', he said whilst smiling back at her broadly.

Before Liz knew what was happening, Red had swept her up in his arms and started to plough through the snow with renewed vigour.

'Red, what the….. Put me down, you'll hurt yourself', Liz pleaded whilst trying not to laugh.

'Not a chance, sweetheart, now I know I only have to make it another sixty feet or so, that knee of yours has done its job for the night!'

Within a minute they were standing on the porch of a rather small and basic looking cabin. Small and basic it may've been but the two of them couldn't have been more pleased with their discovery. Red gently set Liz down on a chair that was on the porch and started rubbing at the window panes, trying to see in.

'Well, it certainly doesn't look like anyone's home. However, draw your weapon and wait here. I'm going to go in and check it out'.

Liz reluctantly pulled her gun from her holster, wishing she could give Red backup, and held it steadily pointing towards the door. She knew that there wouldn't be any real enemies within but seeing as they were about to perform some B&E, any occupant of the cabin would be well within their rights to be afraid of them, let alone defend themselves. Red pulled out his own gun and reached for the door handle. It turned easily and the door swung open.

'God bless trusting people, Lizzy, we could be in luck. Now just wait here a moment'.

Red pushed the door fully open and strode into the cabin, quickly making his way into the darkness. Within a minute, he was back and was beaming widely.

'All clear, sweetheart. Doesn't look like anyone's been here for weeks, probably months. I'm guessing this is a Spring to Fall holiday cabin, rather than somewhere people would come for winter. I mean, all that would happen is you'd get snowed in', he chuckled.

He bent over and scooped Liz up again and carried her across the threshold. Liz couldn't help but smile to herself at the symbolism of his act but rather hoped it hadn't occurred to him. However, Red was all too aware of the gesture he was reenacting by carrying her into the cabin like this and had to immediately banish the sad thought that sprang to mind that this'd be the only opportunity he'd ever have to perform it with her.

He placed her down once more on the couch in the living area. There was a couch, a couple of armchairs, a table and chairs, two cupboards and a fireplace. Hardly anything else in the room at all, other than a few pictures on the walls. Liz looked at them as best she could in the poor light.

'Looks like the occupants of this cabin are a couple in their sixties, maybe even older. The likelihood of them turning up anytime soon is pretty small. We got lucky, Red'.

'Yeah, so far, so good'.

'Red, can I have another look at your head now?'

'Sweetheart, I'm sure it's fine. But okay'.

Red sat down on the couch next to Liz as she used the moonlight from the window to check his cut.

'Okay, it looks good. It's stopped bleeding. Just fetch me one of those alcohol wipes from your medikit and I'll make sure you don't get gangrene'.

'I'm not sure gangrene is too likely, dear, but okay' Red grumbled as he leant over to root through his bag, 'Here you go'.

Liz ripped open the alcohol wipe and gently rubbed Red's temple, cleaning away the dried blood.

'Okay, good as new' Liz said whilst aiming the screwed up alcohol wipe at the fireplace.

'Okay', Red said, standing up, 'I'm gonna get this fire going to warm you up and then have a look around and see if there's anything that might be of use to us. Some filet de boeuf or maybe a nice vintage Merlot would be a good start. And, oh God, please let there be Scotch'.

Liz couldn't help but laugh at the improvement in Red's mood. She knew that no matter what, they were gonna be okay. He'd take care of them both. And feed them both. Even if it meant going out and wrestling a deer to the ground himself. She grinned at the image.

'Something funny, Lizzy?', Red queried.

'No, no… Just get that fire started, I'm frozen'.

'Your wish is my command', Red said whilst mock bowing.

He then immediately set to work looking around for matches and tinder. There was a large pile of logs by the fire but they'd never light without a little help. Thankfully there was a bag of kindling in one of the cupboards and some matches. Within five minutes Red had the kindling going and was arranging the logs over it.

'Okay, that should get going soon enough. You okay, Lizzy?'

'Honestly, Red, I'm so cold my teeth are chattering and my knee's throbbing like crazy. So, er, not really.'

Red frowned and disappeared from the room for a few moments. Liz could hear thumping noises from one of the other rooms in the cabin and Red grunting. She wondered what on earth he was up to. However, her question was soon answered when she saw Red half-stumbling back into the room, dragging a double mattress with him.

'I've taken this off the bed. There's no point it being in there, those other rooms won't get warm enough. We'll need to stay by the fire'.

He thumped it down a few feet from the fire and turned to lift Liz again. She had already started to rise by herself and was tentatively putting weight on her knee. However, in the time since she'd last had to use it, thanks to Red's insistence on carrying her, it had seized up badly and she cried out in pain and stumbled forward. Red, of course, caught her in his arms again and held her up.

'Seriously, Lizzy, this stubborn, independent streak of yours….. Just let me help'.

'Yeah, okay, sorry. Just thought I could manage it'.

He helped her over to the mattress and laid her down. He then removed his jacket and put it on top of her.

'Okay, I'm going to assess what else I can find in the cabin. Don't go anywhere, got that?'

'Yes, boss', Liz smiled back at him, the warmth of the fire beginning to reach her at last.

Red disappeared once more out of sight and Liz sat staring at the flames as they got bigger. Ever since the fire when she was a little girl, she'd not really been a fan of such sights but she was so goddamn cold she couldn't afford to indulge in such thoughts right now.

There was more thumping, more grunting and some chuckling coming from the other rooms and Liz was beginning to think Red was just toying with her, what with the ridiculous range of noises he was making. However, he once more reappeared laden with goodies.

'Right, here we have some blankets, a couple of pillows and the piece de la resistance, a bag of peanuts I found in the bedside drawer. Which was odd. But very welcome'.

Liz giggled at him again. He could be such a buffoon. She gratefully accepted the peanuts he offered to her and opened them immediately. She shook some out onto his palm and then started to work her own way through the bag.

'Okay, now for the kitchen. Pray for me, Lizzy, I'm a man who gets very grumpy when hungry'.

Liz sat happily by the fire, awaiting his return. The heat was really starting to warm her up now and the peanuts were quite possibly the finest thing she'd ever eaten. She hadn't even realised how hungry she was until she'd started upon them.

'Oh my god, Lizzy, I swear we are the luckiest car crash surviving, stuck in the snow, hobbled at the knee people in the whole world'

Liz raised an eyebrow at Red as he came back into the room.

'Good news or okay news; which would you like first?'

'Er, okay news I guess', Liz mumbled out around a mouthful of peanuts.

'Excellent choice. The okay news is that there is no heating of any kind in this cabin except for that fire. It definitely is a seasonal holiday home. Which means we're not gonna get found here. However, there is a large pile of logs in the shed, easily enough for a couple of days. Hmm, thinking about it, I think I managed to spin that into the good news column', Red laughed.

'Yeah, that was a lot better than I was expecting', Liz laughed back at him. 'So, the really good news?'

'There's running water. I guess it must come from a well underground or something as pipes in the house would probably have frozen had there been an attic tank. But the pipes in the kitchen and bathroom work fine and the water is running beautifully. And once the fire starts to heat the cabin up a little, the water may not even give you an instant brain freeze when you drink it', he shuddered, with a pained look on his face.

'That's great. But, er, other than this bag of peanuts…. Er, half-bag of peanuts…. Is there any food?'

'Yes, there is. The cupboards are chock full of canned goods and long-life food like chips, milk, all kinds of stuff. Including a particularly tasty onion relish', Red said, licking his lips. 'So we're good. As long as you like vegetables'.

Liz's face dropped slightly. 'There's just vegetables?'

'No, sweetheart, trust me I'd have filed that under 'bad news' had that been the case. There's also some cured meat and a few of the cans have some kind of pseudo meat product in them.'.

Red continued, 'In the shed where I found the logs, there's a generator I've gotten going and a coupla tanks of gas, which seems to run a fridge/freezer, heat the water and….', Red flicked a switch on the wall, 'we have light'.

'Okay, you've done well, Mister Forager', Liz laughed. 'Now how's about you bring me something to eat before I expire. These peanuts aren't cutting it anymore'.

'At once, Madam', Red threw over his shoulder whilst hastening back to the kitchen.

Ten minutes later and they were both nicely full of canned beans and chips.

'Okay, filling as that was, tomorrow I may look to see if the oven and burners work', Red said. 'I think I saw some propane gas in the garage so hopefully they're for the oven. But right now, I need to sleep. How about you?'

'Please, yes', Liz sighed. 'I feel like I could sleep for a year'.

'Okay, let me just put some more logs on the fire so it doesn't die overnight.'

Once that was done, Red popped off his shoes and climbed under the blankets with Liz, allowing her the side nearest to the fire's warmth. They were both so tired that neither of them gave more than a passing thought to the fact they were sharing a bed for the first time. As Red moved closer to her, attempting to share his body warmth with her, he faintly heard a grandfather clock chiming midnight in another room.

'Well, that was certainly an interesting day'.

'Yeah….' Liz exhaled using the last of her conscious thought.

Red gently put his arm around her and within minutes the two of them were fast asleep.