DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pushing Daisies, or any of the characters, settings, etc. Rated PG.


#3 – jolt!

Spark

"I have a question," Chuck declares, setting the rolling pin aside. She rests her elbows on the counter and her chin in her palms and waits for a response.

Ned, on the other hand, continues his work, but a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. "You always have questions," he points out, still grinning. He casually glances in Chuck's direction, and bites back a laugh – a light dusting of flour coats her hair, and a white smudge adorns her nose. He doesn't realize that his hands have stopped their methodical motion – he's overwhelmed with the urge to reach for the plastic wrap.

"What does it feel like?"

"What does what feel like?"

"When you bring someone back," she clarifies. "I mean, is it like a little spark? Do you just feel all the life rush back into them?"

Ned isn't sure how to answer. Chuck's eyebrows are arched and her lips are pressed together as she waits for a response.

"I don't really know," he says finally. "I've never actually thought about it." His hands are moving again, more to distract himself from this conversation than anything else. He can see where it's going, and—

"What about when you touch them again?"

--and he really, really doesn't want to go there.

"It doesn't feel like anything," he says firmly, because he doesn't want to tell her the truth. He doesn't want her to understand the sensation of life fleeing a body that had just gotten used to breathing again. And he definitely doesn't want to think about what it would have been like to press his lips against hers and feel her vibrant presence fade away.

"Oh." She frowns, almost like she doesn't quite believe him. "Nothing at all?"

"Nothing," he confirms, so vehemently that he nearly believes it himself.

"I see." She picks up the rolling pin again, returning to her task.

Ned watches her for a moment longer before adding, "You have…" He trails off, one hand indicating his face.

Chuck raises a finger and brushes the tip against her nose, letting out a surprise laugh when it comes away white.

"I must look ridiculous," she says, wiping the flour away with a sheepish grin.

"Never," Ned murmurs, and that much is true.


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