Chapter 10

Author's Note - I've been rereading some of my favourite fics and discovering new ones. It's great that this fandom seems to revive itself every couple of years. Also a bit crazy that we can't get these characters out our heads nearly 20 years later, oh that makes me feel old! There's some unfinished stories that I'd love to see completed (yup pot calling kettle black!), nudge nudge to Aquitane85, McBenzy and Eninaj, and some fabulous authors I'd love to see write more and I know at least a couple of you are still out there ;-)

I decided not to go into M rated territory (although I know chapter 8 got pretty close) because it didn't feel in keeping with the tone of the story. Maybe one day I'll do the missing scene from this story and you'll all have to adjust your filters to find it!

Reviews are hugely appreciated, thanks x

Peter wasn't sure if it was the cold that woke him up or the distant noises outside. He blocked them out and concentrated on savouring the feel of Assumpta's head resting on his shoulder, her arm stretched out across his chest and a leg draped over his. The smell of her shampoo was intoxicating and he buried his nose in her hair, trying to commit every aspect of this moment to memory. But, all too soon he was forced to acknowledge the world beyond. Dragging his attention away from the beautiful women next to him he tried to place the distant noise and decided it was a helicopter, and then realised, with rising panic, it was probably looking for them. There was another sound, that of distant voices, which were getting closer.

Assumpta was woken by someone hissing urgently in her ear. Her eyes fluttered open and confusion fogged her brain momentarily as she tried to work out where she was. There was no mistaking the voice whispering in her ear though and all the events of the previous day came flooding back. She didn't listen to the words but instead turned to silence him with a kiss, she needed to know he was real and not a wonderful dream. His lips resisted her and she felt him tense, then he deepened the kiss, tugging her nearer.

Peter groaned as her hand moved into his hair and she positioned herself on top of him. She was intoxicating and he was powerless to resist, especially the way she was wiggling her hips suggestively on top of him. They had already made love twice that night and Peter was more than happy to oblige again as she ran her hand down his chest and swooped over his hips, but that nagging buzzing and the other muffled noises once again cut through his focus. He struggled to drag his attention away from the temptress on top of him.

"Assumpta," his voice a whisper, "There's people outside!"

Her hips instantly stilled and she looked at him horrified. He pressed a finger to her lips and she nodded.

Then a woman's voice, unmistakably Siobhan's, called out "Father Clifford, Assumpta are you in there?"

Assumpta jumped at the closeness of it and at the use of Peter's official title she shrunk back from him, as much as is possible when two people are sharing one sleeping bag. Peter looked like a deer caught in headlights, a look she suspected was mirrored in her own face.

His eyes flitted towards the door and he called out, in a shaky voice, "Yes we're in here. Is that you Siobhan?"

Assumpta glared at him and hissed, "What're you doing?" whilst attempting to wiggle herself out the sleeping bag.

She was half aware of Siobhan's reply and Brendan asking after their welfare. Peter was whispering back, "We had to answer. We're suppose to want rescued, remember." Assumpta found it hard to read the intensity of his look.

"The door is still tied, shut they can't get in yet," he continued, putting a steading hand on her hip to help her out. She realised the truth of what he said and tried to take a calming breath, the appearance of their current situation to those outside the door began to dawn on her. She cringed thinking about how Peter must have sounded when he'd answered and even more so at the ongoing silence their rescuers were experiencing. She finally freed herself and jumped down to the floor and summoning all her acting experience she went into full Assumpta rant mode.

Peter could only lie there and stare at her as Assumpta gave the perfect impression of someone who, although grateful to be rescued, was also cold, tired and fed up. Why had the forecasters not predicted the severity of the storm? Why didn't Ambrose's bloody radios not work properly? She was freezing and had had to spend the night with a priest, which was not exactly her idea of fun and how long was it taking to clear the snow away from the door? All the time she was speaking, in a clear and calm, albeit infuriated voice, she was whirling round the hut pulling on clothes and attempting to straighten herself up. At one point she whirled round and caught him staring, she cuffed him gently round the back of the head and urgently thrust his trousers at him. He gave her an apologetic look and stumbled up trying to pull his boxers on faster than he ever had before. As he was doing up his trousers she whispered in his ear, breath tickling him, "You need to say something, try to act normal". He turned to look at her, couldn't help himself, she was so tantalisingly close. He leaned down to kiss her, she allowed it for a second then pushed him away mouthing "no!" but she had a smile on her face.

"Assumpta will you give them a break," he tried in his best weary tones. She smiled at him and nodded encouragingly. He continued, "They found us didn't they so we can finally get back for a long hot bath."

He shared a look with her and wondered if she too was imagining sharing a bath, all bubbles and smooth skin and...urgh stop it! He mentally shook himself and watched Assumpta do a quick scan of the room, self-consciously straighten her hair and glance at him for permission to untie the string and open the door. He squeezed her hand and nodded. Assumpta loosened the ties as outside they cleared the last of the snow and pulled the door open.