They do not belong to me but it would be nice if they did. Needless to say, I absolutely love borrowing them to indulge my own fantasies.
Thank you to Akimakel18, CreativeGirl29 & QuestRunner for reviewing this little story which has become a bit of an obsession.
Ch7
Kayo retired shortly after dinner, the earlier bravado had disappeared the minute she had seen him and their eyes had locked before she became desperate to look anywhere else. It seemed that it would not be that easy to look at Scott in any way other than how she felt deep inside. He had absolutely taken her breath away and she had barely made it down the staircase in one piece when she felt the weight of his eyes upon her. The dinner had been uncomfortable, people surrounding her making her paranoid that they could seek the very truth from her soul. Angrily she removed her dress and threw it to one side, dressing like an idiot hadn't helped her feel comfortable either, she never wore a dress and she now regretted complying with Penelope's demands. She felt foolish as she remembered looking in the mirror and in a moment of weakness hoped that a change in look would have an effect on him. All in all the evening had been disastrous and taken her back to where she didn't want to be and in company all she could manage was self-conscious and embarrassed. It felt like she had gone back in time and the morning at the beach where she had felt so free and easy with him had never happened, she was back to square one.
She grabbed some more comfortable clothes and tied her hair up jumping back on the bed, it seemed unfair to Penelope to hide away when she had made such an effort but there was no-way she would find her game face tonight. She failed to find distraction in music, reading had been as difficult as on Five and sleep did not seem likely as her brain processed the sight, smell and touch of Scott. She was certainly making up for lack of interest as a teenager as now this crush was all enveloping, the hug she turned into a kiss, all she could think about now was kissing him and she needed to get that out of her head. Not wanting to make the journey back through to the others but desperate to leave her room and take some fresh air to clear her mind she took her old route to the beach via a jump from the balcony. The thing about living on an Island, there was no-where to go, no escape or distraction when you needed it, nowhere to walk to giving a destination that can take you away from your thoughts. The place she found herself was next the remnants of the fire, she sat down pulled her knees under her chin, hugging them. She looked out at the ocean lit by milky moonlight and relaxed to the sound of the breaking waves trying to think about anything but the fact she wasn't just attracted to him, she loved him.
Penelope had been taken by surprise at Kayo making her excuses so early, phase one of the plan, observation, seemed to be being unexpected delayed. Still it would be ungracious to leave the company of her hosts so early in the evening, with Gordon so attentive it seemed she could take her mind off her friend until the morning when she would take her in hand. Taking a drink from Gordon she linked his arm and walked to the veranda looking out at the beach, Scott joined them shortly after and they enjoyed the breeze and the sound of the sea accompanied by Virgil playing the Piano. As Kayo came into view kicking angrily at the sand beneath her feet, she felt Scott tense, there may be an opportunity for a little observation yet.
"Could you possibly get me another drink Gordon."
"You wish is my command."
Penelope smiled, it certainly was and she was thoroughly enjoying it. She watched Kayo come to a stop and sit herself down observing the insecurities the nature of her body language portrayed. She walked a little closer to Scott sensing he wasn't really there with her.
"She's been through such a lot."
"… Sorry Penelope .."
"I said she's been through so much recently."
"Do you think she's happy here?" Scott spoke his thoughts out loud; Kayo had avoided him to get to the beach and looked like someone lost.
"I think she'd be happier if you spoke to her about what happened on the Island?"
"I think Virgil & John have it covered."
"Maybe she needs you Scott, have you thought of that, you're her leader your opinion will carry more weight. Have you ever told her that you never doubted her?"
"No. She knows I trusted her."
"Hearing and knowing are two different things, Parkmoor Scott, I took her to Parkmoor she doesn't know where she belongs. Make it better."
Gordon returned which stopped their conversation; Gordon was many things but discretion Penelope felt would take a little work. She linked arms with him again steering this time inside leaving Scott with her words hanging over him. She took a seat and watched as he seemed undecided as to whether they were the words of wisdom. Her first observation was that if Scott saw her as his sister he would not have had an inner battle going on, he no longer knew how to act around her, his feelings had changed. Virgil could be her undisclosed ally in this, he had been watching Scott as closely as her at dinner. A double pronged attack may be the order of the day she rose and made her way over to the piano perching on the edge of the seat.
"Talk to him." She indicated with her eyes in the direction of Scott.
"About?"
"He would feel much better if he made his peace with her."
"I'm not certain that's a good idea."
"Why."
"Nothing really… but you know Kayo doesn't really do opening up, he will just be invading her space."
It occurred to Penelope that she had both sides of the story whereas he only had one, without telling Virgil it was reciprocated she made a retreat, it was perfectly understandable that Virgil would consider Scott was doing the right thing by leaving her alone if he couldn't control his feelings. Frustrating as this was, she had a starting point, her instincts were right and it would only take a little bravery by one of them and then they would both be a lot happier, she was sure of it. The next time she glanced at the balcony it was empty.
Scott mulled over Penelope's words, if Kayo had really needed him to be her Field Commander and ensure her of a job well done then he had failed. He hadn't brought it up once, even on the plane while she spilled her guts about her guilt he had been so wrapped up with the feeling of her in his arms that he hadn't even offered any re-assurance. Shit he had no choice, he couldn't put her through this, he would go and see her not as her brother, not as someone attracted to her, just Scott Tracy leader of International Rescue having a pep talk with one of his team.
Kayo felt the presence of someone behind her, the scent confirmed who it was and her heart hammered in her chest as she waited. For a while he stood there just a presence taking in the same view as her.
"Did I ever tell you I never doubted you for a second?"
"Not one?" She turned to face him and smiled "I wouldn't blame you for a few seconds you're only human."
"Maybe just one."
Scott took a seat on the sand next to her, she relaxed her legs and lent back with her elbows propping her up. She was surprised there was no desire to escape, it seemed that on her own with Scott was still OK, her need earlier to make an early exit probably the horror of doing dinner in a dress and being aware of being scrutinised by Penelope.
"Kayo…. Are you happy here?"
"Why?"
"You seem little lost at times."
"I'm on the beach and the house is over there."
"Very funny and you know what I mean. It's important to me... to all of us that you are happy none of us meant to hurt your feelings."
She looked at him, the guilt she felt was in hurting him, her behaviour was making him blame himself for her reactions and that was unforgivable, he didn't need her all hormonal and moody, acting any differently.
"My feelings haven't been hurt Scott, I love you all and I am very happy here, I'll snap out of it I just don't want you all thinking differently of me."
"Is that what you think?"
"Not really, not since I returned from England."
"So what's changed?" He turned to face her, trying to keep his feelings in check.
"Me. I was hiding my blood relation from myself as much as you I didn't want to believe it was true for such a long time. You don't know how much I hate the fact I am related to him."
The pain in her face made his heart ache, she knew how to torture herself and he doubted now if Virgil's chocolates and a night with John was actually enough to cure her. The more he considered it Virgil was right she needed to know they all loved her and she was part of their family. He rose and held out his hand to help her up from the sand.
"Come back to the house with me, it's time to join the others."
"Thank you."
"What for?"
"For only doubting me for a second."
He smiled at her and she returned it closed the distance and wrapped her arms around him placing her head on his chest.
"Thanks Scott," she released herself from his arms and caught his eyes, there was something about the expression on his face, just for a second she felt the desire to kiss him before lowering her eyes and starting the walk back to the house.
He couldn't follow immediately, he had been close to giving in to an urge to kiss her, reading something in her that told him she felt the same way too. Just half an hour in her presence and he had been close to going past the point of no return, he started to wonder if Kayo realised how close he had come to ruining everything. The evening had started by being blown away by how beautiful she looked, to seeing her vulnerability and that had allowed him to drop his guard blurring the lines between his fantasy and reality. He decided to bring the trip forward, they had cleared the air and he would take a break, get his feelings in check and come back someone Kayo could rely on when she needed him. His promise to himself to make it stop had been broken in less than 12 hours in close proximity to her, he realised only a physical distance would be enough for him to gain control.
Penelope watched as Scott stood still watching Kayo walking towards the house, she had been close to witnessing one if not both of them getting a little braver. Transfixed as she watched Scott hold out his hand and help her feet and with baited breath as Kayo hugged him, if that wasn't Kayo taking a risk she didn't know what was. Scott was different altogether, he was never this unsure when he set his sights on someone he usually took a risk, she wondered if there was more at stake than his fear of losing a sister, whether it was more his fear of being rejected by someone he already loved.
