A Romantic Winter
Chapter 10
Hello there. Sorry this is a little late but you know what school is like -_- Anyway thanks for all the reviews please keep them coming and enjoy this chapter.
Jill sat in her living room, bags packed and waiting to go. She'd thought about Skye all day and was beginning to think she was building an obsession especially now that she had the first kiss to analyse.
She knew he didn't want to take her with him and was afraid he wasn't going to show up. He was so odd…
Suddenly, just as she was beginning to drift off into a doze, the door creaked open and the thief made his usual uninvited entrance. Jill's heavily lidded eyelids heaved themselves open to watch him as he sauntered in, hands in pockets, hair dashing and windswept.
'Good evening Miss.' He cooed as Jill stood, throwing her rucksack over her shoulder and smiling sweetly at him.
'Good evening sir.' She replied causing a smug grin to break on Skye's lips.
He paused just in front of her taking a deep breath and cocking his head to the side.
'Ready to go I see.' He said almost begrudgingly. Jill quickly noticed that he had no bag with him, however she didn't see him as somebody who would carry luggage anyway.
'Mmhm.' Skye nodded raising a hand to brush a few silvery strands out of his eyes.
'Well I guess we'd best make tracks then.' He said hesitantly. Jill stood with a look of almost expectancy on her face but Skye liked to tease her. He held out his hand and half turned for the door. With a sigh Jill reached out and took it, allowing herself to be led out of the house. She flicked off the light switch on the way and they paused outside to lock the door. It was then Skye pulled her round into his chest with a glint in his eye. Jill's cheeks were red hot in a flash as he stooped slightly, pressing his lips gently against hers. Jill was absorbed for a mere few seconds when she suddenly realised that Takakura could well be watching them, or even Rock spying from somewhere.
'Skye…' She murmured against his lips attempting meekly to push him away. He released her irritably and raised an eyebrow. I thought that's what she wanted? He thought confusedly.
'What? I can't kiss my girl?' He smirked lacing his fingers through hers.
'Ha!' Jill laughed outwardly 'I'm not your girl Skye, neither are we dating.' She said with a shake of the head shrugging her bag further up onto her shoulder and beginning to walk, trying to bring him with her.
'Oh I see, we're just friends that kiss, and hold hands and stuff.' He scoffed, following her willingly.
'Mmmm yes.' She replied smiling cheekily round at him before quickly changing the subject. 'So where are we headed?' She asked cheerfully.
With a sigh of reluctance he answered,
'Mineral Town.'
'Mineral Town? I thought we were going to the city?'
'We are. Mineral Town is on route.'
Jill nodded understandably and squeezed his hand a little with excitement.
'I haven't been out of this Valley in so long, I feel quite giddy.' She said skipping for a stride and beaming up at him.
Skye sniggered.
'Try being me, this trip means I'm going to have to be out during the day. What if I tan?' He asked in a mild panic.
'Well that wouldn't do. Imagine if you freckled!' She teased giggling to herself, however Skye did not find it the least bit funny.
They walked quickly through town, Skye constantly glancing around with caution and he had every reason to.
'What have we got here?' The couple froze, their grip on each other's hands tightening. Skye's heart leapt into his throat. This was it, whoever it was would know he was the thief, he'd be caught, locked up, and all because of a girl!
But she's not just a girl, He quickly reassured himself She's Jill.
Jill glanced over her shoulder, her cold amethyst gaze connecting with Rock's.
'Rock,' Jill whispered pleadingly 'Rock please don't.' The beach boy gazed at his true love, the worry in her eyes, her lip quivering every few moments; her hand locked tightly with…his.
Skye turned slowly pulling Jill a little closer into his side, his cat-like stare landing sourly on Rock.
'Really Jill…the thief?' Rock growled folding his arms and standing as straight as possible trying to match Skye's height. A small gasp left Jill's parted lips. He knew. Skye's eyes widened.
'Kind sir, I will be eternally grateful to your most affable soul if you let us pass this one time with no trouble.' Skye said quite calmly, but Jill could tell he was about to snap.
Rock raised an eyebrow and sneered.
'That's quite a sweet tongue you've got there, is that how you won her?
Jill's cheeks flared red with anger.
'I am not a prize to be won Rock!' She spat 'I'm going with Skye by my own freewill!'
'Skye…' Rock whispered registering his name for when he would repeat this encounter to Harris.
'Rock?' Another gruff voice sounded. Skye realised sweet talk wasn't the way to get out of this.
'Griffin…I-I found him!' Rock grinned. The long-haired bar tender's eyes were alight.
'Marlin!' He yelled over his shoulder 'Harris!'
'This is when we run.' Skye whispered in Jill's ear discretely as villagers began emerging from every nook and cranny. Jill nodded and tugged at his arm impatiently, and they were off. They flailed across the bridge, Jill throwing a glance over her shoulder to the small army that were beginning to take off after them.
'Faster.' Skye whispered picking up the pace and trying to bring Jill with him. At that moment Jill's legs were going faster than what her body could cope with.
'CARTER!' A voice echoed as the small, stout researcher came sauntering down the path beside the windmills. Skye and Jill passed him in a blur and they were gone before the other men even got a chance to explain to him.
The couple hammered on down the path slipping over the odd icy patch.
'Skye…' Jill panted 'I can't…keep going…much longer…' They ran on for a few more seconds but eventually Jill slowed to a halt straining on Skye's hand. The farmer bent over placing her hands on her thighs, small puffs of fog encircling her as her hot breath escaped quickly into the cold air. Skye paused to wait for her whilst trying to catch his own breath. The mob wasn't in sight yet but he could tell they weren't far behind.
'You can…go on…without me…' Jill continued to pant but as sure as hell that wasn't happening.
'No Jill, they'll torture you!' Skye said fearfully. Jill straightened up and took a weary glance over her shoulder before reaching out for his hand once more.
'Are you sure you'll be all right?' He asked in a worried tone trying to make eye contact with her.
'Yes…I'm fine, let's go.' And they were off again.
After so long it was apparent the pair were only running on adrenaline. Jill's lungs ached and stung for air but she wasn't prepared to let Skye down. She would keep going if it killed her.
Skye too was struggling, he had never run so much in his life, then again he had never come so close to getting caught. Prison had just glared him in the face and threatened the relationship he was beginning to build with Jill and that made him hate it even more, if possible.
They were approximately two miles down the path, just another one away from Mineral Town. The villager's of Forget-Me-Not were still coming on strong, just not at as fast a pace. The shock and horror had spread like wild fire through the group as each member found out that Jill was involved. Comments like, Our Jill? She was holding his hand? She defended him? How does she know him? Were murmured constantly as they marched.
'Almost there!' Skye panted throwing a quick glance down at Jill whose cheeks and nose were flushed from the cold. She forced a smile over her chapped lips as they continued to run, Skye winking at her for reassurance.
'I don't believe this…' Takakura muttered to Harris as they led the group. Harris shook his head with a sigh.
'I genuinely thought she was interested in catching the thief. I guess she was just sitting in on our meetings so that she could warn him.'
'She didn't do a very good job.' Griffin pitched in from behind 'In fact she led him right into our midst.'
'It makes you wonder…' Takakura responded thoughtfully.
~::~
It was 10.30pm by the time the couple reached Mineral Town. When they eventually slowed Jill found herself feeling quite nauseous and uneasy. Her leg muscles ached and her lungs heaved as if they were scraping for air. She clung tightly to Skye's arm for support as her legs quivered, threatening to buckle beneath her.
'Sk-Skye I need to stop now!' Her voice croaked. Skye complied stopping dead in his tracks and staring down at her rather concerned.
'Come on Jill. There's the carpenter's, we're literally two minutes away!'
The flummoxed farm girl closed her eyes and shook her head in protest.
'I-I can't.'
With an understanding nod the thief whisked her up into his arms bridal style. Jill leant her head on his chest as she struggled to regain her breath. Skye took another few steps forward and paused again.
'J-Jill, we can't stay at the Inn.' He suddenly realised. 'Everybody in this town has been warned, they'll be expecting me. Besides I bet that's the first place the villagers will check!'
Jill began to hatch a plan quickly in her head.
'My cousin.' She whispered meekly. 'My cousin Claire…'
A smile of relief broke over Skye's lips.
'Where…where does she live?' He asked impatiently.
Jill looked around at her surroundings trying to get her bearings. It had been years since she's visited Claire and her memory of the town was a little foggy.
'Straight up that path over the little bridge.' She directed. Skye nodded and hastened towards it. They arrived on a small farm, covered in a thin layer of fresh fallen snow. There was a large field, completely clear and around its outskirts several small buildings. 'That's the house over there.' Jill said confidently pointing a finger towards the long, wooden construction, the small windows emitting a soft yellow glow.
Skye set Jill gently on her feet in front of the door and pressed a light kiss onto her soft, reddened cheek causing it to get even redder. With a quick backward glance Jill knocked the narrow wooden door several times and then quickly took Skye's hand.
A few moments later, the door opened casting a larger yellow beam over the couple and revealing a petite woman with long blonde hair wearing a pair of pale blue, satin pyjamas. Her sapphire blue eyes scanned over Skye and then connected with Jill immediately recognizing her.
'Jill!' She squealed throwing her arms around the brunette's neck and squeezing whatever air she had caught straight back out. 'It's so good to see you, what are you doing here?' She grinned releasing her cousin and taking a step back.
Jill glanced up at Skye and Claire followed her gaze.
'Who's this?' Claire asked winking and nudging Jill.
'This is Skye.' Jill replied lustfully. Skye bowed slightly taking Claire's hand and kissing it softly.
'It's a pleasure to meet you Claire.' He charmed in his smooth tone, a blush spreading like a rash over the blonde's face.
'The pleasure is all mine I'm sure.' Claire giggled.
'Alright alright,' a tall, burly figure said from the doorway wrapping his arm around Claire's waist and pulling her away from the womanising thief. 'Don't tell me you're bored with me already.' He teased.
Skye straightened up and wrapped his arm around Jill in much of the same manner.
'Jill, you remember my husband Gray, right?' Claire droned sarcastically. Jill rolled her eyes and smiled, her mind casting back to their wedding she had attended four years previous.
'Of course. It's nice to see you again Gray.' She said pleasantly.
'You too Jill.' Gray nodded.
'Gray this is Jill's…friend, boyfriend? Skye.' Claire introduced. The couple glanced at each other and blushed neither replying to her question. Gray held his hand out towards Skye.
'Nice to meet ya.' He said warmly as they shook hands firmly.
'The feeling is mutual.' Skye replied. Then came the awkward silence.
'…come in both of you it's freezing out.' Claire said shoving Gray back to clear the doorway. Jill had never been so relieved as she hadn't wanted to invite herself in rudely, but she was worried that the villagers were close behind. Claire led them to the sofa and sat down on an armchair across from it, Gray perching himself on the arm. Jill and Skye settled onto the sofa both taking a sigh of relief and letting the warmth of the farm house soothe their numbed extremities.
'So what brings you guys here so late this evening?' Gray asked wrapping his arm around Claire's shoulder.
Skye and Jill exchanged a nervous glance but Jill realised they'd have to tell the truth. Just as she opened her mouth to explain, Skye began.
'Cutting to the chase, my kindly newfound friends, believe it or not I am the thief that has been terrorising the nearby towns and valleys.' He paused for a moment to let this sink in. The colour drained slowly from both Claire and Gray's faces, their eyes widening. Claire glanced between Skye and Jill, her expression a mix of worry and concern. 'You see the people of Forget-Me-Not Valley had been plotting to catch me and tonight we ended up right the middle of their trap.'
'We had to run the whole way here with them hot on our heels,' Jill took over. 'They'll search the town and I was wondering if we could maybe hide here until morning?' She asked hopefully trying not to be too forward.
At that moment a door on the other side of the room opened and a small child appeared with long ginger hair rubbing her bright blue eyes, a yawn slipping out of her small pink lips.
'Momma? Pappa?' She squeaked groggily, her white nightdress pooling around her feet and out over the wooden floor.
'Ava honey, go back to bed.' Claire cooed.
'But I can't sleep!' She stropped. Gray jumped up off the arm of the chair and strode across the room, sweeping her up over his shoulder, a string of giggles flowing from the child as they disappeared back through the door.
Claire sat in silence for a few moments staring lovingly after her husband whilst trying to process things in her head.
'I-I guess you can stay here.' She finally spoke up not being able to think of an excuse.
'I understand perfectly if you no longer welcome me in your home Claire,' Skye said graciously 'But I promise I will give you know trouble and after tonight you will never see me again.' Both Jill and Claire's hearts twinged at this.
'Skye…any friend of Jill's is welcomed in my house, thief or not. I mean you can't be that bad if Jill's so hopelessly in love with you.' She chuckled. Jill's face rapidly became beet red as she glared at her cousin. Skye blushed a little himself and joined Claire in her chuckling.
'That's very kind of you Claire, I appreciate it.'
Thanks so much for reading. Pleeeease keep reviewing and all you silent readers, please speak up. Hopefully more to come soon.
~*Sarah*~