CHAPTER 29

Montayva opened her eyes slowly. She had fallen asleep to the steady beating of Mordecais heart. He too was awake now, his thumb gently tracing along the sirens earlobe as her head still rested on his chest. Montayva lifted her head to study his face, and she found him watching her intensely.

'Feeling better?' She whispered.

'This makes me feel better' He croaked cheekily, his voice still hoarse as he squeezed the girls body to his.

'Oh!' Montayva gasped as he pressed his desire against her thigh.

'Unfortunately we have company' He whispered, and Montayva noticed Lillith for the first time. She too, was asleep across the room, leaning back in a chair with her feet propped on the small table. Montayva squirmed, trying to free herself from his tight embrace.

'What are you doing?' He asked as she removed herself from the bed.

'Dressing' She answered simply, pulling on her cargo pants. As she searched for her shirt in the dim light, Lillith awoke.

'He's finally awake?' She cleared her throat and stretched her limbs.

'Yep' Montayva donned her shirt quickly, and Mordecai sighed.

'Yes, I am awake. Why so surprised? Doubted me alittle did you?' He toyed with the red headed siren.

'No. I see the insta-healths have done you the world of good' She stalked over to his bedside. 'You're quite normal looking again' She reached up and placed her hand against his brow.

'Bugger off would you? I'm not a child' Lillith pouted teasingly at him.

'Oh, now you dont want our help?'

'You and your games can just go and jump into a skag pit' Mordecai eased himself up onto his elbows. His body ached all over. But after what he had endured, he was surprisingly well.

'Well. Everyone else has gone back to sanctuary' Lillith informed both Mordecai and Montayva. 'Zer0 has returned with some news. They were all more eager to hear news of more vaults than await your recovery' She smirked.

'Yeah, well, I dont blame em' Montayva handed him a dry shirt, and he pulled it on as he sat up. He stretched his arms, and flexed his fingers. They were still a little numb. But he was thankful they weren't black with frostbite. He wasn't game to check out his toes yet.
'So.' Lillith continued 'I'm gonna head back to sanctuary, now I know you're not going to crack it on us. Make sure he eats something before you return' Lillith pointed at the pot of broth that still hung by the fire, as she gave Montayva the instructions.

'Piss off already woman, what are you? My mother?' Lillith burst out laughing at his response.

'I wouldn't spawn such vile uncouth creatures like yourself' She winked, and left before he had time for a witty comeback.

'You know, you dont have to watch my every move. You think I'm gonna empty the soup onto my boots?' Montayva smiled at his remark, but continued to watch him eat.

'Lillith mentioned you weren't fond of food' She shrugged.

'Ha! Thinks she knows everything, that one' He took another mouthful of the weak tasting broth. It was warm though, and just the heat in his stomach was bringing back his strength. 'I'll eat when we get back to Sanctuary'

'If you dont eat now, you wont make it back to Sanctuary!' She bickered playfully with him.

'Women' He muttered under his breath, and he received the sirens boot in his shin. 'Ow!' Montayva leaned forward on the table, resting her chin on her folded arms. He finally pushed the empty bowl forward, and stretched his limbs once again.
'I'm gonna be sore for a month, I know it' He sighed, rubbing his left shoulder.

'At least you're not dead. The poor boy didn't fair so well' Montayva aid quietly, and Mordecai knew she genuinely felt sorry for it.

'Yeah poor kid' the hunter stood. 'Had talent too' he admitted, pulling his boots on.

'I dont know why I couldn't feel you. Your mind, I mean. When you were lost in the snow' Mordecai just shrugged, he wasn't going to try and figure out the girls mysterious powers.

'Well, I'm just glad that you did find me. And, well, you know...' He muttered, referring to her aide in his recovery.

'It was the least I could do' She took her back pack as he handed it to her.

'Well, lets get back to Sanctuary. Something tells me we're missing a party' He winked at the young beauty, and linked his arm over her shoulders as they left the small dwelling.

'Think I'll wash up first.' Montayva informed Lillith and Mordecai, who were in the main control room. The others had already headed down to Moxxis, to share a drink in honour of their recently fallen comrade.

'Sure thing, kiddo' Lillith walked with the girl to their room on the third floor. 'You know, I'm not one to pry, but I am picking up some serious tension vibes between you and Mordy!' Lillith sat at the table as Montayva pulled a fresh set of clothes from her locker.

'Hmm, yeah I guess there is' Montayva admitted. She had been forcing herself not to think about it. She was terrified of leading him on, when truthfully, she was only fooling herself. 'I dont know what it is' She shrugged.

'Yeah, this planet seriously lacks talent. So its surprising that half the male population isn't drooling at your feet already.' Lillith chuckled. Montayva sat on Mayas neatly made bed.

'Well, that's a bonus of being able to read moods, you know which ones to avoid!' And they both laughed together. But Lillith became serious again.

'Look kid, I'm not gonna go all Mumma bear on you and tell you what to do with your life. But I'll tell you what I know. Life's too unpredictably short to muck-arse around when it comes to getting what we want' Montayva could feel the regret seeping into Lilliths mind as she flickered back to her own past 'And I dont know what you've done to him, but Mord's changed since you've come along. Brick and I had honestly lost hope. And if you had of seen him before you arrived, you wouldn't know you were looking at the same man.' Lillith paused and took a breath 'I'm glad we didn't lose him' She stood then 'But dont you dare tell him I said that' She mock threatened, pointing a finger at the younger woman.

'I won't' Montayva promised, Lilliths few pearls of wisdom taking hold in the younger girls mind.

'Well, I'll meet you down at Moxxi's then yeah?' Lillith left the room, and Montayva flopped back on the bed, for once concentrating on her own emotions rather than someone else's.