Less Helen, more Richobel. Not at all a reaction to the episode. *snort *
He swallowed, hard.
"Yes?" he asked, trying to keep his voice as level as possible, "Which part?"
"You know," she said simply, her hand resting gently on the wooden bannister. She had stepped down off the bottom stair and stood at the foot with almost an air of anticipation, as if she might move any second. But she spoke with such conviction, such soft but irrefutable conviction, that it disconcerted him even more.
He let out a sigh. There was no point in putting up any sort of pretence.
"Well," he looked her in the face, "I would have thought it was fairly unambiguous."
A ripple of surprise passed over her face at his matching her frankness but she quickly recovered herself. There was a moment's silence.
"Well," she replied after a long moment, her voice softer even than before, "Thank you."
Another silence.
"Richard," she asked again, "What did you mean? You say it's obvious," she cut him off quickly before he could protest, "But I need you to say it. Please. Don't leave me pondering your ideas of ambiguity."
A smile passed briefly over his lips, which he swallowed a moment later, realising that he was going to have to find the words to tell her. A lump seemed to be rising in his throat, and he swallowed again, hoping his voice would work.
"I love the way you love. God knows, I've watched you do it enough over the years. I love you."
Her mouth parted in surprise.
"Richard-..."
"I don't ask for anything in return," he told her quickly, "I'm sorry, I wouldn't have told you, but you asked! I'm not asking you for anything, Isobel."
"No, Richard, listen," she stepped forwards away from the stairs, standing before him, rather shyly taking hold of his hands, "Please don't apologise, that was a wonderful thing for you to say. It's me who should apologise, I made you say it. And don't-... Don't ask for nothing. I don't want to give you nothing, when you've given me so much."
She felt silent. His fingers wrapped gently into hers, and she accepted him.
"Do you know what you do want?" he asked.
She shook her head sadly.
"No," she murmured, "Not at the moment."
"It's alright," he whispered to her, "You don't have to know now."
"I don't want to lose Helen, and I don't want to lose you," she told him, her voice very quiet, "At the moment I seem remarkably lightly to lose both."
"Shush, no, Isobel, you won't lose me," he told her, "I can't make you any promises about Helen, but I can promise that you won't lose me."
She smiled at him; tears had formed in her eyes. Her eyelids fell shut and she seemed to take in a deep breath.
"I'm so tired," she whispered, "I can hardly trust myself at the moment."
"You need to sleep," he replied, "Honestly, Isobel, you'll feel better."
"Stay?"
"What?" he asked, taken aback.
"Stay. I'm exhausted. I don't want to lose you," she repeated.
"In the guest room?" he asked.
"Yes, if you like."
He cleared his throat slightly.
"I think that would be for the best," he judged.
"Just as long as you stay," she told him.
He sighed. It would have been wrong of him to say no, she was exhausted, she needed him here; for Helen alone, before any consideration of herself.
They were still holding hands. Her fingers squeezed a little against his.
"Thank you, Richard. Thank you."
"Don't thank me," he implored her, "Don't you realise now, I'm giving all of this freely?"
"Richard-..." she murmured.
She kissed him. Her hand left his and rested on his cheek, her thumb stroking gently by his ear. She did no more than brush her lips gently against his at first. Hesitantly, he responded, only going as far as she guided him, kissing her as gently as he could, thinking only that this was a mistake to her later he could only use it now as a way to show how he loved her. He felt her arms wrap around his neck, and his hands rested on her waist. She parted her lips under his, inviting him to explore more deeply. He groaned quietly, slipping his tongue into her mouth.
They broke apart a little breathlessly. Her eyes were closed, a look of concentration on her face. He watched as a few seconds later her eyelids fluttered open, and she murmured, under her breath, still breathlessly, almost moaning it;
"Darling."
He could not help it, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, he almost lifted her off her feet, burying his face in the exposed skin of her neck, and simply holding her. She exhaled sharply in surprise, but then, a few moments later, he felt her arms settle snuggly over his back, holding him in return.
Please review if you have the time.
