A/N I fully admit, in the rush to post this before the fall finale it hasn't really been proofed.
Sabbatical
Chapter 2
Rounding the cabin, he slowed to a stop.
She was just standing there leaned up against the wood pile with her arms crossed staring at the sky. His dog was sitting at her feet.
"I was starting to go a little stir crazy in the cabin. I thought I would come out to enjoy the sunset. It really is beautiful here. Peaceful."
He didn't know what to make of it. What to make of her. She had gotten free, but she hadn't tried to run away. As his anger petered out, he didn't know what to say.
There was a nip to the early autumn air. He was still carrying the jacket to her suit. Unbunching it, he put it around her shoulders.
She gave him a nod of thanks.
"There is a reason why I was brought here to be killed. The man who shot me – I told him that I wanted to retire to a place like this. I told him I wanted to live out my last days in a quiet pristine piece of wilderness. Somewhere unspoiled by man. I would say that this isn't exactly the way I thought it would happen, but the truth is I never really thought it would happen – retirement.
"That was the way I always thought my life would end – on the wrong end of a gun barrel. I just never expected him to be the one to pull the trigger."
Her gaze still on the sunset, she was far more loquacious than usual.
"I could and I should go back to my old life. Seek vengeance. Who knows, in a little while maybe I will – but for now, I've decided to stay here."
His eyes widened in wonder.
"Of course, there are going to have to be some changes. I'm going to need a few improvements. Adding a water heater for one. Some insulation. New glasses."
Standing there with her arms still crossed, she stated all these things matter of factly – almost disinterestedly.
"These past few weeks I've been trying to decide what I'm going to do with you. It's been a long time since I've lived with someone else. I'm not sure how well the roommate situation is going to work out."
His hand reached out to cup her cheek. Turning her head to look at him, he brushed his thumb across her lips before leaning down to try to capture her mouth with his.
Finally uncrossing her arms, putting a hand to his chest, she stopped him. "That's not on the table."
tbc
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