A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads and especially, reads AND posts. It's been several weeks since my last update but this story is special to me and I think takes more time. I have a lot to say, but I like to take this one slow. I hope you all enjoy and please do me a favor by leaving a review. I hope everyone has a happy Holiday Season filled with many blessings.
Chapter 12
It had been yet another month since the attack at the Ball and the discovery of little Cringer yet Adam was as silent as ever.
Teela reported a slight improvement in their interaction yet he still suffered from mood swings, shifting between responsive and aloof. His parents were relieved to hear he was at least talking if sparsely yet he continued to remain silent around the adults; a cause for added concern for the King and Queen.
Since finding Cringer, Adam had gotten into several more fights with other boys, groups of them even, all sons of nobles and kingdom officials. By all accounts, the Prince never started them; for some reason the others sought him out as if wanting to test their mettle against the young Prince who, as word got out, was a pretty good fighter for his age.
All the while, his parents tried desperately to reach out to him reassuring him of their love and support. They hired counselors, all of which failed to get him to speak much less open up about his past.
The royal couple always remained in constant contact with Mrs. Stoley; since the day he arrived at the Palace all three communicated regularly and shared information all in an attempt to help Adam heal from whatever had occurred in his young life. Once he retreated in silence, they kindly asked if at all possible she make her visits more frequent to which she of course readily complied.
Alarmed and disheartened, even Abigail failed to connect with her former foster son.
Their son also appeared not to be sleeping and his appetite changed; dark circles had begun to appear under his eyes along with a slightly gaunt appearance overall. Physicians examined him often. The obvious prognosis: post-traumatic stress disorder.
His parents continued to stay diligent asking him to eat better and modifying his chambers to make sleep less elusive. They even stocked his chambers with stuffed animals to which Adam just quirked an eyebrow. A bit amused, his parents gave them away to the local orphanages.
For now, all that was left for the King and Queen was to remain patient and more importantly, loving and supportive.
The Dining Hall was quiet, the clinking of dishes and silverware the only sounds. Randor and Marlena exchanged worried glances as they watched their little boy quietly navigate dinner.
"Where's that tiger cub of yours, son?" the King asked in an effort to initiate conversation. "I haven't seen you with him these last few days."
Adam shifted a tired gaze to his father and simply shrugged.
Marlena wrinkled her brow. "Did he run off?"
He looked at his mother and shook his head.
Randor looked worried. "Well, if you don't know where he is yet you know he didn't run away, where exactly is he, Adam?"
Adam's expression suddenly and inexplicably darkened in anger. Jumping from his seat, he grabbed a drinking glass and launched it at the wall shattering it to pieces. Startled, the hall attendants at the buffet flinched, their heads snapping to the source of the disturbance.
Their mouths falling open, Randor and Marlena simply stared at the boy as he pivoted and, lifting his chair, he swung it over his head and smashed it into the floor, the wooden limbs breaking loose and sliding everywhere across the hardwood floors.
Panting, he whipped around locking an angry blue gaze at his shocked parents before suddenly grimacing, grabbing his stomach and doubling over as if in pain. Putting his hands over his ears, he released a scream so full of anguish and sorrow his mother's eyes welled up with tears, her hand going to her mouth.
"Adam!" his father shouted in an attempt to snap him out of whatever flashback he was experiencing. He jumped to his feet and, rounding the table he reached for him.
His eyes snapping open and shaking his head, Adam backed up just enough to slip out of Randor's reach before shouting, "No…NOOO!" The boy then whirled around and sprinted out of the Dining Hall leaving the attendants and his stunned parents frozen in their places wondering what may have triggered this alarming reaction.
Ernest walked the dark and quiet streets of Eternos passing the wrought iron golden-tipped gates of the Palace currently locked and guarded for the evening. He did his best to appear nonchalant; just an average Eternian making his way to some innocuous destination when in actuality, he had been casing the estate.
Over the last few weeks, he had managed to conveniently "bump into" a Palace attendant at a local pub by the name of LoFadd who worked in the Palace Laundries. He'd quickly confided in Ernest, stating having recently fallen on hard times and how the royal salary could not meet his needs.
Translation: his gambling habit had eaten up all of his income and he now found himself in dire straits owing very important, very dangerous people large sums of money.
His debts quickly piling up, LoFadd had asked the Overseer of the Laundries for a raise in salary to which he was summarily denied stating the annual allocation had already been budgeted.
The Overseer also reminded him of how generous the Miros were in regard to all of their staff; they easily paid everyone ten times more in salaries than any other monarchy in the kingdom. Reprimanding him for his vices, he berated him pointing out sharply how had LoFadd not squandered his salary in gambling, he would have made a very good living.
Feigning empathy for his newfound friend's plight, Ernest saw an opportunity.
He promised the young attendant a large…in fact very large sum of gold coins if he would allow him access to the Palace. Apprehensive, LoFadd quickly declined to which Ernest upped the ante promising a top government position if he follows through, citing his "connections" with a certain unnamed royal who could make it a reality.
LoFadd thought for a moment…
Ernest stared eagerly. He was hooked.
"Duncan, where is Cringer?" Marlena asked entering his workshop shortly after dinner.
The young soldier turned and gave a sharp bow. Straightening, he answered, "I believe, Your Majesty, the young cub was taken to Veterinarian Services a few days ago to undergo treatment."
She furrowed her brow. "Treatment?"
"Yes, Madame. Intestinal parasites. He must have been infected right before he was found by the Prince as the area at which he was discovered provided ample breeding ground for such organisms."
Marlena blinked. "Funny the King and I were never informed," she mused, her gaze shifting to the floor. She met his gaze. "Will he return?"
"I'm afraid not, Madame," Duncan replied. "The director of the facility insisted that a wild tiger must return to its natural habitat. An Eternian tiger has the potential to grow to a size of nine feet in length weighing in at almost seven hundred pounds once reaching adulthood," he continued. "Once he completes treatment, the director plans to set him loose." He knit his brow. "My men made a full report to His Majesty's assistant. Did he not inform you two, my Queen?"
The Queen shook her head, her eyes heavy. "No. No one told us," she thought for a moment. "Perhaps this accounts for Adam's outburst earlier this evening."
Concerned, Duncan's brows shot up. "Outburst?"
Her gaze met his. "Yes. Adam had an episode. A pretty violent one, I'm afraid."
Man-At-Arms' eyes simply widened, listening intently as she related what sounded like an apparent post-traumatic meltdown.
"My God," he replied in a whisper.
Her eyes shining with unshed tears, Marlena added, "Randor and I are at our wits' end. We love our son dearly and would give our lives for him," her gaze drifted to the floor, "The tragedy is, I don't think he believes it."
Having ran all the way to his chambers, Adam paced back and forth, his expression nervous and wild.
Powerless…
The lack of sleep, the nightmares…they were affecting him. For weeks now he couldn't shake the images of his twin sister receiving weapons training, marching in the rain, enduring brutal disciplinary methods for even the most minor offenses. The vacant, defeated look in her blue gaze haunted him. It reminded him of himself during Ernest's attacks.
He stopped, his mind recalling awful, dark memories.
Many times, the only way he could escape his foster's assaults was to break from reality in the midst of the attack…as if, his mind and body separated, his psyche protecting itself from further damage as his body suffered.
Powerless…
But he fought back every time. But every time, he was overpowered. He was a lot younger then. Well maybe not a lot younger. He's only ten years of age. The sexual assaults began at six, the physical beatings even younger.
The dichotomy and confusion at being beaten and raped by a man who was supposed to love and protect him made him retreat inwardly, turning to books where he took it upon himself to learn as much as possible about…pretty much anything.
He began to pace again.
Well, fighting was one favorite topic. Self-defense was a useful tool in that household. He even used what he learned to defend not only himself, but his foster mother on many occasions.
Flora and fauna were other favorite topics; indigenous plants, flowers, and wildlife serving to entertain his young mind as well as educate.
Science-fiction was another good topic. Stories of ancient castles, wizards, and sorceresses were interesting to him…if not outright fantastical. He even found a book that spoke of a ghostly Guardian chained to that old skull-faced, abandoned castle located in the East, just beyond the edge of the Evergreen Forest. He shrugged his shoulders.
That story was mostly made up.
He kept pacing, his features growing heavier with sadness at each turn.
Cringer.
He suddenly froze, his sapphire gaze pinned to the floor.
Problem. Just when he and the cat were learning each other and building trust, they took Cringer away from him and once again he was powerless to do anything about it…powerless to voice his resistance when faced with a decision made by someone in authority ultimately proving detrimental to him.
Another problem: the fights with those stupid boys which were also increasing. It's only a matter of time before his birth parents give up on him and send him back, if he was lucky, to Mrs. Stoley just like all those fosters last year.
He reflected on her recent visits…more frequent…visits obviously intended for preparation to send him packing again.
Fighting equals rejection and abandonment. Yet fighting saves my worthless life…and maybe somebody else's…someone more important even, he mused. One day, even if it didn't save him at least fighting back made it harder on the perpetrator to succeed.
He shook his head as if to clear it. There were far worse things than being rejected and sent home.
He began seeing more of his foster father skulking around the city; stalking him in the streets, near cafes, outside of the Palace Gates…each time, those piercing black eyes pinned to his every move…wherever he'd go.
If he allowed himself to dwell on it too long, he could remember the feel of his foster father's hands on his body…the sounds…the stale odors of his beer breath and grimy sweaty body…
He shuddered and sighed. Never once did he mention seeing Ernest to his parents, Man-At-Arms…or even Teela. Was what he was seeing even real? Or could it be his mind playing tricks? If they were real, what would be the point of telling anyone anyway?
Powerless…
The story of his life.
His eyes filled with tears, his gaze still on the floor.
And now I'm a cry baby. This is…my life. What did I do to deserve this?
The dark room felt hollow, the ambience brooding and apprehensive, a tangible feeling of hopelessness hanging in the air, the stillness of the room broken only by the sound of someone's heavy breathing.
It sounded like someone choking and gasping for air, the breathing hitching over and over accompanied by a strange thunking noise.
Clad in pajamas, Teela crept her way through the room, her emerald eyes wide, her path dimly lit only by the full moon peeking slightly through a sliver in the satin curtains.
As she approached the breathing became heavier, more labored; yet the sound was not coming from the bed.
It was coming from the floor.
Navigating the room guided only by her memory, she reached the light switch. Snapping it on, her eyes shifted directly to the floor, widening in surprise and sadness.
Drenched in sweat, Adam lay in a fetal position near the bottom of the bedpost. His face flushed and eyelids squeezed tightly shut he was panting, occasionally rocking back and forth, his fists pounding the thick rug before drawing his arms inward. He began to moan.
"No…nooo…no…"
Her eyes beginning to tear up, Teela rushed over and dropped to her knees beside him. She reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.
"No!"
The sharp riposte taking her by surprise, she withdrew her hand as if burned.
She studied him as he struggled, finally realizing he was still asleep and fighting with whoever it was in his dreams and not in fact with her. She decided to try again.
"Adam?" She placed both hands on his shoulders as he wriggled on the floor all the while begging for someone to stop.
"Adam! It's me, Teela!"
Completely oblivious, he continued to moan rocking back and forth, his eyes still shut.
"Wake up! You're having a nightmare!"
He continued to ignore her, his movements becoming more erratic as he started to punch the air, Teela barely dodging his fists.
Unable to rouse him, she reached between his flailing arms and slapped his face.
Startled, his eyes popped open and focused as his head snapped to her. He froze, his angry blue gaze staring up at her.
"Sorry Adam but I didn't have a choice," she explained remorsefully, "You weren't waking up!"
He quirked a confused eyebrow. "Sorry?"
"Yeah," she said, "You were yelling and rolling on the floor and punching somebody so I had to slap you out of it."
Adam blinked at her, his blank expression fixed as she saw his mind working. Realization dawning, he flushed a slight shade of pink as his eyes darted away. "Oh. Sorry." He sat up as Teela tried to help him to his feet. He pushed her away. Both now standing he turned to her, his gaze averted and fidgety. He mumbled something.
"What?"
Slightly perturbed, Adam met her gaze. "I said I'm sorry."
Teela made a face as she waved a hand. "Don't be. We all get nightmares," she reassured. "But at least you're talking. You aren't saying much these days," she observed.
Annoyed, Adam turned away from her and walked into his bathing chambers as Teela followed. She leaned against the doorjamb as he approached the sink and pulled his nightshirt off over his head dropping it on the tile floors. He switched the water on full blast.
Teela's breath caught in her throat as her eyes went straight to an ugly scar over his right shoulder blade. Embarrassed, she quickly turned away as he leaned over and splashed his face with cold water. Grabbing a soft fluffy towel he patted his face dry, his blond locks still damp. His face still buried in the towel, he turned back to the door just as Teela snuck a peek over her shoulder.
She could make out the faint outline of his ribcage as her gaze traveled downward, his pajama bottoms hanging loosely below his hips. Adam regrettably had lost a lot of weight as her father said he wasn't eating much lately. This was seen as a setback as he'd been eating pretty well up to the last few weeks.
He had nice shoulders, she thought. But he was too skinny. Her gaze went lower quickly moving past his you-know-what and all the way down to his feet. He had pretty feet. He also had pretty hands, she recalled.
She gave a wistful smile and a sigh as her gaze traveled back up to his belly button when her subconscious registered something was wrong: he had stopped moving. Her emerald gaze shot up to lock on his sapphire ones…which were now staring curiously at her.
Teela blushed a deep crimson as she snapped her head back around prompting Adam's eyebrows to shoot skyward.
"What was that about?" his voice asked from behind.
"Nothing! It's about nothing."
"You were looking at me for some reason."
"No! No reason at all."
Behind her, his footsteps padded closer as she inwardly cursed herself, her eyes rolling in complete embarrassment. She squeezed them shut then re-opened them just as he came into view. He stood in front of her, their eyes locked.
He furrowed his brow. "What?"
Blushing anew, Teela averted her gaze.
The corner of Adam's mouth curled upward ending in a smirk. "Are you…embarrassed?"
"No."
"Yes you are."
"Am not!" she retorted, her gaze meeting his defiantly.
His expression leveling off, he studied her then quirked a brow. "What were you looking at, Tee?"
She felt pressured. For some unexplained reason he was the only one who could pressure her into confession. None of the other boys in the Palace could break her…only this boy. And she wasn't exactly sure why. It didn't take much for him to break her down; only his quiet, matter-of-fact, calmly posed questions. And he never backed down, never took no for an answer.
She secretly liked that about him.
Unable to hold it in any longer, she blew out a loud sigh. "Ok fine! I was looking at your body, Adam!"
Startled, he flinched, his blue gaze going wide before narrowing. "Why?"
Teela shrugged her shoulders. "It was your…umm…just curious, I guess."
Her answer prompted an unreadable expression to flicker across his face. "Curious?"
She nodded.
Adam was holding the towel with both hands directly over his abdomen inadvertently obstructing her view when his arms suddenly fell to their sides. Teela's eyes instinctively dropped to his torso before catching herself; she squeezed her eyes shut then averted her gaze to the ceiling, her cheeks pinkening. Adam furrowed his brow and cocked his head.
"What's embarrassing about being curious about someone's body?" he asked innocently.
Her gaze met his. She blinked then answered, "I guess it's because we're a boy and a girl. But I was really looking at your…," she trailed off.
Adam's lips parted then as if realization dawning, he turned his back to her and peered over his right shoulder. "Is this what you were looking at?" He put his left hand over his right shoulder gesturing to the scar on his shoulder blade.
She looked at it; its appearance reminding her of someone attempting to carve something into wood. She then met his gaze and nodded, her eyes filling with confusion.
Adam nodded back. "This was the scar my foster father made one night. He was pretty drunk." He stopped and strained a bit, his right hand now pushing his left elbow in order to reach it, his fingers brushing over the raised scar tissue. "One time, during the…rape…he kinda got crazy and took a knife to me. Said no one else could have me and started to carve his name into my back."
Teela, her face shattered, began to tear up during his explanation. Her eyes moved over the scar, the shape resembling a rectangle missing the right border…almost an elongated C. "It…it looks like a letter," she said.
He sighed. "He was trying to make an E for Ern—" knowing he was about to unwittingly release the man's name, his eyes went round as he cut himself off.
She furrowed her brow, her eyes locked on his features. "Say it."
Adam's tortured blue gaze met hers.
"Say it," she pressed, her tone urgent and laced with sadness.
He dropped his gaze then met hers again. Turning to face her, his eyes shifted back to the floor. Swallowing hard he said quietly, "Ernest."
Teela's chin crumpled as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. Emotionally numb he stood there for a minute, arms at his sides, her embrace tightening as he finally slipped his arms around her.
They stood in the doorway for a few silent moments holding each other until Adam broke away, slightly fidgety. Moving past her, he walked deeper inside toward the large circular tub, his eyes darting around as if to find a reason to abruptly end the tender moment.
"Umm…I gotta take a bath. I'm all sweaty."
Swiping at tears, Teela pressed her lips together. "Okay. Yeah. I guess I'll go." She turned and walked out of the bathing chambers only to be stopped mid-step by Adam's soft voice.
"You don't have to go. You can stay. If you want to."
Halfway across the room, Teela slowly turned around to see Adam had followed her midway stopping in the doorway, his hand on the doorjamb. His eyes looked…lost…desperate. Teela cocked her head in confusion. "Umm…do ya want me to stay?" she said with a sniffle.
Adam stared for a moment then finally, "Yes."
Teela gave a cautious smile. "Okay. I'll stay."
xxx
Their backs against the headboard and reclining on top of the bed quilts they talked, Teela occasionally getting a whiff of his freshly bathed, powdery fresh scent. He was talking and looking at his fidgety hands, his legs crossed at the ankles. Her gaze shifted to roam his damp hair which, still wet after shampooing had turned dark blond; a few naturally bleach brightened highlights chasing through the strands giving his color a rich depth. Still talking and oblivious to her close scrutiny, he reached up and ran a hand through his hair, finger combing it back as a lock had fallen over his eye.
Oh no. The butterflies again…
"…that's one of my favorite books," he'd just finished saying.
Teela blinked at him, her mind which had drifted and gotten caught up in his looks working to recall what he'd said. Remembering, she replied, "So, you're interested in space?"
Adam looked at her, a slow grin creeping along his lips at how absent-minded she could be at times. "I wasn't talking about space, Tee, I was talking about—"
"Oh animals, that's right," she interjected, her face heating up.
He stared at her, his blue gaze drifting across her features, studying the lines of her face, obviously taking in the rapidly crimson tint she was collecting. She simply stared back until—
"Okay! So I like you, alright?" she shouted in exasperation.
Silent and seemingly horrified, Adam's eyes only widened.
Something in Teela's stomach shuddered with fear. Oh no…he doesn't like me back. I'm sucha idiot! Who was I to think…someone like me…someone like him…
Mortified, she bit her lip and quickly turned to go when she felt a hand close gently around her forearm. She gasped and turned to meet his gaze.
His brow quirked, he asked, "Where are you going?"
She snorted in disbelief. "Back to my room," she replied. "I kinda made a fool of myself. Now please lemme go."
Adam's expression darkened. "You're not a fool, Teela."
The redhead stared at him, her lips parted.
His features waxing apprehensive, he added, "I…like you too."
Teela's already shocked gaze went rounder.
"Although I don't know how you could like someone like me…with all my problems," he added sadly before shifting his gaze to his hand. He quickly released her arm. "Oh. Sorry about that."
Her mouth fell open. She straightened and turned her body completely to him folding her legs underneath her and palming his bed. "You're not the one with the problems, Adam. It's that fool Ernest, that's who!"
Adam's gaze went round in fear before narrowing. Putting an index finger to his pursed lips he replied, "Shhh! I don't want anyone to know his name!"
She flipped her hair back with her hand. "Well whatever, but he's the one who's got problems Adam, not you."
A broken smile settled on his lips as he quietly observed her. She was a good friend to him, a very good listener…well, whenever she wasn't talking which was most of the time. And very non-judgmental. His gaze roamed her features; her long eyelashes, green eyes, pert nose, freckles. His gaze went to her mouth. Pouty red lips…
Wow yeah, she was…beautiful.
She lifted a brow. "Now I get to ask you. What are you looking at?" she joked with a snort.
He blushed slightly as they both laughed a little. Finally he replied, "You."
Uncertain as to what he actually meant, she stopped then shrugged her shoulders. Making a decision, she suddenly leaned over bringing her face closer to his.
As she moved in, Adam's eyes widened comically making Teela giggle before planting a peck square on his lips. He drew a sharp intake of air as she pulled back, her expression full of amusement.
"I…I've never…"
"Well I have," she cut in, waving her hand. "I practiced a few times on Malek. He's only good for practice."
At her revelation, the blank and confused look on Adam's face made Teela burst into giggles. When he didn't join in, her laughter died out as she locked gazes with him.
"What?" she asked concerned. "Was that a bad thing to do?"
When he didn't answer, she bit her lip. "Hey, I'm sorry if I sorta made you uncomf—"
Her apology was stifled by Adam's left hand reaching up and cupping the back of her head, he shifting his position. She gasped as he brought her face down to his. He kissed her, the moment lingering for much longer than her initial peck. When they parted, he sat back and watched her.
Filled with euphoria, Teela blushed furiously, unable to speak. Wow! That kiss was outstand–
Adam knit his brow. "No good?"
She shrugged a shoulder. "It was alright," she downplayed hiding her true feelings.
He nodded.
They both suddenly became very fidgety, the moment turning awkward.
"So," he said trying to change the subject, "Do you wanna look at my scar?"
Teela smiled. "Okay. Then I'll show you mine."
"Okay."
He pulled his nightshirt off and scooted down. Flipping over, he lay on his stomach and hugged a pillow as she leaned over to examine him.
She brushed her fingers over the raised markings. "Does it hurt?"
"No," he muffled before turning to look at her. "But it hurt real bad when he did it."
She knit her brow. "Didya cry?"
He blinked. "Yeah."
They both fell silent as she continued to touch him, his shoulders rising and falling with his breathing pattern. "I'm sorry," she finally said quietly.
Adam shrugged. "It happened. It's over."
"Hey. Your Mom told Daddy that you got mad at dinner tonight. What happened?"
He took a deep breath and buried his face in the pillow.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
"No, I should," he muffled into the cotton before getting up and shifting back into a sitting position. He met her gaze. "I sort of short-circuited."
She sent him a confused look.
"Kinda like…," his eyes darted about the room in search of the right word, "Like, a temper-tantrum."
She mouthed, Oh.
"I guess everything was kind of caving in on me and I sort of just…lost it. I better apologize to my parents before I go."
Teela furrowed her brow. "Go?"
Adam nodded.
"Go where?"
"Well, they're probably going to send me back to the orphanage."
"What?" she almost shouted prompting him to put a finger to his lips again. "But…but you can't leave!" she whisper shouted.
"But I always leave," Adam replied. "Too many fights. Too much trouble. I shut down a lot."
"You think they don't want you, is that why you don't talk?"
His eyes cut to her. He nodded.
"So, after the Ball, when you wouldn't talk…"
"After the fight I was just expecting them to cart me off," he finished for her. "Everyone does," he confessed, "Lots of foster parents send me back. Nobody wants me."
"But, the King and Queen are your birth parents, Adam," she argued. "They're not fosters. And, you shoulda seen your Mom before they found you," she explained. "She didn't know I was watching but she used to cry alone…a lot."
The Prince knit his brow. "Crying? Why was she crying?"
"Because, Silly, she missed you. Thought you and your sister were dead."
Adam's confused gaze drifted to the quilt, the cogs of his mind working. "She…missed me?"
"Yeah."
Still not understanding his worth, he asked, "Why? I don't do any chores. I don't have a job. What value am I to anyone?"
She sent him a confused look. "Because…," she drew out, "She just loves you, Dummy!"
He opened his mouth to reply but closed it abruptly to stare annoyed at her. "Dummy?"
Teela laughed. "Yeah, you're normally smart but you're a dummy about this, Adam. People like and love you but you don't know why. That kinda makes you a Dummy."
His blue gaze narrowing angrily, Teela burst out in laughter as he stared, his expression eventually leveling off then lifting in amusement.
"Look. People like you a lot. What about all those stupid girls at the Ball?" she pointed out. "They were slobbering all over you."
Adam's face went blank before he suddenly coughed a laugh, snorting as he continued laughing.
Teela watched him in amusement. "That's the second time I've heard you laugh hard, but the first time I heard you cough and snort at the same time."
With Teela joining in, Adam finally quieted down and looked at her. "So, I should know that somebody loves me but I really don't have to understand why. They love me even though I don't earn my keep? They just love me, is that what you're saying?"
She cocked her head and crinkled her nose. "Well, sort of but not really but that's okay for now," she said. Changing the subject, she hunkered down and grasped the hem of her cotton pajama bottoms. Rolling them up, she started, "Now look, see? I got this scar from football. Some stupid kid nicked my ankle with his cleats when we both tried to kick the ball…"
Adam smiled and shifted onto his stomach in order to examine her scar more closely. "Can I touch it?" he asked looking up at her.
Teela smiled and nodded.
