Ch. 19: Epilogue
"Hey, Vic. Do you have a minute?"
Vic looked up from the files she was shuffling through at her desk to find Cady watching her. Vic dropped the papers onto her desk and stood up slowly.
"Yeah."
Following Cady into her office, she waited until the door was closed and Cady was back behind her desk before she took a seat.
"What's up?"
"I thought you might want to know that I got a call from the Marshals today thanking us for all of our work on this."
Vic smiled wryly.
"You mean the fact that we busted two of their guys. I'm sure they're very grateful."
Cady gave her an amused look.
"No federal agency likes to be shown up by locals. Still…they don't want dirty agents working for them. He made that clear."
Vic shifted around in her chair, stretching her legs out and crossing her ankles.
"I assume they're both being charged?"
Cady nodded.
"Yes. Mitchell Colter is being charged with murder, of course. And…there's a long list of other charges including the deal he made with Cameron to supply him with drugs. Finn Mason is being charged with lesser crimes, but he's still looking at jail time."
Vic frowned, thinking about Mason.
"He's not a bad guy. He just…made some shitty choices in the name of friendship."
"That seems to be the consensus. I won't be surprised if he makes a deal for less time. Either way, his law enforcement career is certainly over."
"Yeah. What about Cameron?"
"He's being charged as well with accessory, theft, manufacturing and distributing drugs."
Vic shook her head.
"Regular boy scout."
Cady smiled a little.
"All things considered, I would call it a good day's work. Or week. Whatever."
Vic smiled in return, but it was a sad one. Sometimes, even when you caught the bad guys, it did little to alleviate the sting of loss or the reality of what it all meant. In spite of everything, it didn't feel like there were any winners in this scenario.
"I'm glad that Nate's father will have some…sort of closure. Maybe he can…"
She pushed out a breath.
"…I don't even know. At least he knows what happened to his son. I guess sometimes that's all that we can offer people."
Cady's expression turned somber.
"I'm learning that's one of the harder aspects of this job."
Vic leaned forward, resting her forearms on her knees.
"It sucks."
Vic glanced around and started to get up when Cady held out her hand.
"There…there's something else I wanted to talk to you about."
Vic lowered herself back down into the chair, uncertainty shadowing her features.
"Okay."
Cady stood up and walked around her desk.
"I know that you're leaving for Philadelphia next week. I'm glad. You've certainly earned the time off. But, there's uh…there's something I would like you to think about while you're gone."
Vic eyed her curiously.
"What?"
Cady leaned on her desk.
"Me…being out with my shoulder got me thinking that we needed a clear chain of command in this office. Just in case something like that happens again and I'm out."
Vic tilted her head.
"Chain of command."
Cady smiled.
"That's…heavy handed terminology. Think of it as an official second in charge. I am meeting with the Mayor and the county commission on the creation of a new position. Undersheriff."
"Undersheriff?"
Vic repeated the world back slowly. Cady nodded.
"Yes. I want you to do it, Vic."
"Me?"
"Yes. You."
Vic studied her.
"What would this involve exactly?"
"Um…it would pretty much be the same thing that you're doing now. You already…take on a leadership role with Zach and Ferg. When I'm out…you're clearly the choice to step in. This would just make it official."
"And…does this…making it official come with a pay raise?"
Cady smiled.
"Yes, it does. Although, not a very big one."
"Would I have to do extra work?"
Cady shook her head.
"No, nothing would really change. You're already doing the work. This would just give you a little more recognition, I guess. Anyway, I don't want you to answer today. I want you to think about it. Let me know when you get back from Philadelphia. Talk about it with dad. Whatever you need to do."
Vic bit her lip and nodded slowly. Standing, she took a breath.
"So…is that all?"
Cady laughed.
"Yes, that's all."
"Alright. I'll think about it. Cady…"
Vic paused. Cady's eyes held hers.
"What?"
Vic's hands moved to her belt, where they rested.
"Does this have anything to do with Carson Cooper offering me a job. Because, I already told you that I wasn't interested in that."
Cady shook her head.
"No. I promise this is not some plan to keep you here. Although, we would all be lost without you. This is something I started thinking about while I was out with my shoulder."
Vic considered her answer and offered her a smile.
"Okay. I was just curious. You told me that Cooper called you. And…he called you again this afternoon."
Vic made the comment nonchalantly. She paused in her thoughts when she saw the light red hue that worked its way up Cady's neck. She honed in on her boss, her eyes narrowing.
"What?"
Cady cleared her throat.
"Nothing. He just…called about some work stuff."
"Work stuff?"
The skepticism in Vic's tone was clear. Her eyes focused on Cady, she stepped in closer.
"What work stuff?"
Cady shrugged off the question.
"He just wants to get together and talk about…you know…being Sheriff."
A slow smile spread across Vic's face and her eyes widened.
"Did he ask you out?"
Cady outright blushed at Vic's prodding.
"No."
Her answer came too fast and too insistent. Vic's mouth dropped open slightly.
"He did. He asked you out."
Cady glanced down, denial still on her face.
"It's not a date. It's just…two professionals having a drink. A friendly drink and not a date drink."
Vic laughed, not bothering to hide her amusement at Cady's continued denial.
"You are so full of shit."
Cady cleared her throat, attempting to regain her composure.
"It's really not a date. I mean he's…"
Vic gave her a questioning look.
"What? Older? He's what…mid to late forties, not eighty. Besides…there are some advantages to older men."
Cady held up her hand.
"Don't.'
Vic smiled and shrugged.
"I'm just saying. You could do worse. So…you can tell me later how your date goes."
With that, she started for the door, tossing one more smile over her shoulder as Cady responded.
"Not a date."
"We'll see."
xxx
"Undersheriff?"
Vic nodded and chewed a bite of her cheeseburger.
"That's what she said."
Walt considered the word and took a long drink from his beer can.
"What do you think?"
Vic swallowed and swiped her napkin across her mouth.
"It's more money."
Walt lifted his eyes from his dinner.
"Aside from that. Money isn't everything."
"I know that. But…if I'm already doing the work, I might as well get paid for it."
Her point was valid. He knew that. Still, he was quiet. Vic tilted her head at him.
"What are you saying? Do you not want me to do it?"
She was looking for clarity. Walt turned his can around in his hands, the bottom scraping the table.
"You're the only one who can make that decision, Vic. It's just that...with everything that's been going on…"
His thought was left unfinished. But, she got the gist. She could read his concerns well enough.
"I know what you're saying. I know that you worry about me."
Walt studied her across the table.
"Sounds like you've made up your mind."
Vic shook her head.
"No, I haven't. I'm just…trying to see both sides here. Ferg will be back full time soon. Work is slowing down."
"How long will that last?"
She huffed out a breath.
"Until shit hits the fan again. But…we'll survive. We always do. Speaking of…I did what you asked, and made an appointment for a physical. It's day after tomorrow. So…I expect the same from you. A deal is a deal."
Walt smiled at her subject change.
"Fair enough. I'll schedule one."
Vic glanced down at her food and he could sense some uneasiness in her.
"I gotta tell you, though, I'm not crazy about the idea of taking pills to sleep."
The look he gave her was soft, one of understanding.
"I know. I don't blame you. But…if that's what you decided to do…it'll hopefully just be temporary. To get you back on track. Not a long term solution. Your body needs rest, Vic. You are amazing. But, you need sleep. Regularly."
His words pulled a smile from her, lightening her mood.
"And if the doctor says you need pills for…something?"
Walt grimaced at the thought.
"Case by case basis?"
Vic shook her head with a smile.
"Hypocrite."
Her eyes changed and he could almost see the shift in her thoughts.
"Oh…Cady told me that Colter will need surgery on his wrist."
Walt glanced down at his plate and shook his head a little.
"Sorry to hear that."
His tone said otherwise. Vic picked up on that immediately.
"I don't think that you are."
Walt gave her a look of concession.
"Okay. You're right. I don't."
Vic laughed at the admission.
"You went all badass on him. It's hot. Really it is."
Walt chuckled quietly.
"Hot wasn't what I was going for. But…who am I to argue with you on that? Maybe next time, he'll think twice before doing something that stupid."
Vic nearly snorted in response.
"Yeah, I think that ship has sailed. He's likely to spend the rest of his life in prison with all the charges they're piling up on him. Cady went through the list. They're throwing everything on to see what sticks. Most of it should. His being a federal agent does not bode well for being locked up."
Walt didn't look bothered by that fact.
"He should've thought about that before he killed a sixteen year old."
"I agree."
Vic grew quiet. Walt could sense something else on her mind. That was how she was these days. Ever changing.
"You went to see Ferg and Meg today."
It wasn't a question. He knew that. She was well informed on that front. It didn't escape him that she didn't mention it over the phone when she called him about meeting. She also hadn't said anything about it during dinner. Not until now.
"Yep."
"How are they?"
Walt's eyes left hers in a downward trajectory.
"Good. Everyone is good. He uh…he asked about you."
Vic bit her lip.
"What did you say?"
"The truth. That you were finishing up this case."
Vic fidgeted in her chair and ran her fingers over the condensation on her beer bottle, leaving tracks that were slightly darker than the rest of the bottle.
"I told Cady. About the baby. The miscarriage."
Walt's eyes registered the surprise that he clearly felt jolt him with that revelation. She was always so adamant about keeping that between them. About not having it be common knowledge at work. Walt didn't always agree with the choice, but he understood it.
"When?"
"The other day."
Walt sat in silence for a moment.
"Why?"
It was a fair question. Vic didn't seem sure of that answer herself. She still wasn't fully aware of what pushed her to share that piece of herself with Cady. She also wasn't sure exactly how she felt about it.
"It just…felt right."
It was all the explanation she offered him. But, Walt didn't push any further. It was her story to tell in her own time. Or not. Some part of him found relief in her willingness to talk more about it. He knew that it was hard for her. He knew the inner demons she struggled with. They weren't unlike his own.
The only balm for the soul and the mind was time and experience. Acceptance.
It was a lesson that had to be learned in an individual's own time.
The tapping of Vic's fingers on the table pulled his attention back to her. She was still watching him.
"Sometimes…I think I've gotten into the habit of keeping things inside. Or…only talking to you about them. I don't think…it's the healthiest mindset. But…we both do it."
It would be easy to be offended by her comment. She said it haltingly, unsure if she should give those thoughts a voice. But, Walt wasn't that easily offended. He understood what she was saying, where she was coming from.
He loved her. More than anything. He was closer to her than anyone else in most ways. But on occasion, there were issues he would rather take to Henry than her. It didn't have anything to do with Vic. It was more about the subject matter. There was nothing wrong with needing more than just one set of ears, one perspective. If she found that with Cady, he took some comfort in it. It certainly wasn't something he would hold against her. To Walt, it was progress.
"You're right. We do. I'm glad you feel like you can talk to Cady."
She held his eyes for a moment.
Her attention drifted over his shoulder and Walt twisted in his chair to see what was distracting her. His stomach tightened a bit when he saw Julia Corbitt push through the swinging doors and sidle up to the bar. He turned around and looked back across the table at Vic.
Her eyes snapped back to his face and she started to eat again.
"Don't let her get to you."
Vic lifted her eyes.
"I didn't say a word."
"You got quiet."
He paused before he ventured on.
"Did you ever say anything to the Mayor?"
Vic shook her head.
"No. I got busy with a murder investigation, crazy feds, you know…the usual."
Walt's eyes flicked to the woman at the bar and back.
"You know that she was never a threat to you. At all."
Vic swallowed another bite of her burger, washing it down with a swallow of beer.
"I know. It's just…she knew that you were married. She threw herself at you, anyway. Really…really…threw herself at you. She wasn't even shy about it. She even told me I spent too much time at work, and it would eventually cause you to…find someone who paid you more attention."
Walt frowned.
"When did she say that?"
Vic ignored the question.
"It doesn't matter. It was just so blatant, you know? Who does that?"
She could see him mulling over the question before he answered.
"Someone who's desperate and lonely."
Vic halfway smiled.
"Yeah. I think that's an accurate description."
Walt smiled in response.
"All it means is that she doesn't know me at all."
Vic pushed her plate away, most of her food gone.
"I'm done."
"Was your cheeseburger all you wanted it to be?"
She laughed at his question, remembering their long trek through nature.
"Yes. You know, you're out of practice with all of this…chasing suspects stuff."
It was a good natured tease. Walt was willing to concede her point.
"I agree. I'm still sore from it. A hot shower might help."
Her eyes lit up as he pushed back from the table.
They stood up and pulled on their jackets. There was no way of knowing if it was the movement that drew Julia's attention. Or, if she already knew they were there. Either way, as they made their way to leave, Julia intervened.
"Hey, Walt."
Walt paused, his boots scraping over the floor. Before he could respond, without missing a beat, Vic wrapped her hand around his upper arm and gave it a tug, pulling him off to the side and leaning into him.
"C'mon, you said something about a shower."
With that, she pulled him towards the door. Walt dipped his face close to her ear as they left the noise and warmth of the bar, stepping outside into the cold night air.
"You did that on purpose."
Vic made no effort to hide the satisfied smile on her face.
"Bet your ass I did."
xxx
At the end of the day, she really just wanted her mind to be quiet. That was the majority of her problem. She recognized that, but wasn't sure what to do about it. She hadn't always been this way. It was a more recent issue. Since the end of her marriage to Sean, since her first encounter with Chance Gilbert. It was hard to find peace after that. It was either nightmares or just her mind refusing to stop.
It was a habit she knew she shared with Walt. In the past, she assumed that was just the way he was. Walt was a thinker by his very nature. Smart and well read, his mind was incredibly active. But her own experience made her wonder. Maybe his own life enhanced the already continuous workings of his mind.
She knew after the death of his wife, he self-medicated with alcohol in an attempt to quiet his own demons. He recognized where she was and he wanted better results for her. That was why he pushed her to see a doctor. To take care of herself better than he did himself.
Maybe that was why he understood her as well as he did. Maybe that was why they only grew closer with every experience they made it through, even before they were together.
Either way, Vic was only able to quiet her mind for short bursts. It was like an animal retreating into hibernation, only to reemerge under the right circumstances. Walt was simply better at constraining it. The gift of experience.
It was hard to say what exactly was to blame.
Trauma.
Life in general.
What ifs.
More than likely, it was a combination of factors. For a while, all the thoughts lay dormant. Following the beginning of her relationship with Walt, she started to find a reprieve. It was a welcome change, even if it was gradual and temporary.
But, the winter before changed all of that. The fire at the cabin, along with the threat that Will Cain posed to them during that time brought it all back with a vengeance. It became impossible to keep all that darkness at bay in the midst of a constant stress.
Maybe that was what finally sent people over the edge. The voices inside of their own heads. For some, maybe it just became too much. Cracked their exterior and dug into the softness that lay underneath.
She had been there once.
It was a terrifying place to be. She could readily attest to that.
It was what drove her from the bed, not wanting to disturb Walt. At least, he seemed to be sleeping decently.
So, she found herself on the couch again watching the fire slowly die down and lose its heat. In the quiet that surrounded her, she found it reminded her of a person, maybe even herself. It started off bright and strong. But, without fuel, it would burn itself out and cease to exist, reduced to mere ashes.
Humans needed fuel as well. Instead of wood, they needed food and water, air, personal relationships that gave their heart and mind a sense of fulfillment. Vic nearly rolled her eyes at herself.
She was becoming such a sap these days
"Vic?"
His voice startled her, making her jump slightly. Walt rubbed his sleepy face and gave her an apologetic look.
"Sorry."
He mumbled the word. Vic stayed quiet as he shuffled over to the couch and took the seat beside her.
"Something wrong?"
"Couldn't sleep."
The second verse was identical to the first. She didn't elaborate. Not that she needed to. He would pry his way into the truth one way or another given enough time. Walt was nothing if not persistent in his worry for her.
"I can see that. Why? You have a dream?"
Vic shook her head.
"No."
The quiet surrounded them, pressing in. Walt stood up and walked slowly over to the fireplace. He carefully added a couple of logs and watched the fire build back up, emitting a new warmth into the room. Dusting his hands off, he moved back to the couch and took his seat beside her again. The fire came back to life, flickering its eerie patterns on the floor and wall.
The metaphor wasn't lost on Vic.
For several minutes, they simply sat in a space that existed within the confines of the cabin with only a fire for light. The only sounds were their breathing and the crackling of fire along with the pop and shifting of burning wood.
It was Vic who finally spoke.
"Can I ask you something?"
Walt looked her way. He was awake now, his head clear.
"Anything."
Her eyes stayed on him for a handful of breaths.
"Are you happy?"
He was taken aback by her question, not understanding the motive for asking it.
"What?"
Her chest expanded with a deliberate breath.
"Are you…"
Walt stopped her.
"I heard you. I just…I don't understand."
He sounded almost defensive. Vic reached out and placed her hand on his leg.
"It's just a simple question, Walt? Are you happy? It's not a trick question. Considering…everything going on around us…it seems reasonable. It's not…about us. Don't…freak out. I'm just curious."
He felt his heart rate slow and he considered the question. Really thought about it. It was a familiar conversation.
"Didn't we decide that happy wasn't really the word before?"
She smiled a little at his non-answer.
"Yeah…but at the end of the day…it's all the same."
Walt's eyes moved to the fire.
"Yes."
He saw a trace of a smile. Almost like she knew what his answer would be.
"Would you tell me if you weren't?"
"Do you think I'm not?"
A quiet laugh escaped her.
"That's deflection."
"I'm not deflecting. I'm confused."
Vic leaned back on the couch and pulled her feet up, sitting cross legged and angling herself so that she was looking more in his direction. It brought a sense of relief to Walt. In some way, it made her feel less closed off to him.
"This mess with Julia Corbitt got me thinking…"
"Vic."
She shook off his attempt to stop her.
"Let me finish. That's where most people screw up, right? By not expressing what they want. Not being honest with themselves or those around them. We…we do it for all kinds of reasons, you know. To…keep shit straight. To…to protect others. Or ourselves. But, in the end, we don't really do any favors by not being completely honest. By not facing…what is in our power to change."
Walt's blue eyes stayed on her steadily.
"But…the reality is…even if we are happy…we could always be happier. No matter what we have…there will always be something more that we want that might make us just a little bit happier. So…tell me…what would make you happier?"
He eyed her, still unsure of where this was all going. But, he could see in her expression that she wanted the truth from him.
"For you to be less stressed."
"That's something for me. What about you? Your needs, not mine."
Walt swallowed.
"Your needs are my needs, Vic."
She smiled softly at him.
"Okay, what makes you happy?"
"You. Us."
She gave him an expectant look.
"And?"
He looked around.
"This cabin. This land. Cady. Henry."
He paused and Vic honed in on the hesitation.
"What?"
Walt reached up and scratched at his chin.
"Spending time with you. I would…like more of that."
"We're together all the time."
Of course, she would challenge him.
"Well…in a not so…"
He stopped again.
"What?"
Her prodding was ceaseless.
"Away from…life is what I mean. Life is…stressful. We both know that. Your job…stresses you out. Helping out stresses me. I would like to spend some time with you away from all that more than we do."
"Then, why don't we?"
She sounded genuinely curious.
"Uh…"
Vic smiled.
"My point. Bet you can't think of one good reason other than work…or life in general."
Walt studied her.
"What brought this up?"
"I've been thinking…about my dad. My parents. I have no idea if they were ever really happy together. They fought a lot when I was a kid. Even now, I honestly don't know. She cheated on him once. I ever tell you that?"
Walt shook his head.
"No."
Vic looked his way.
"A long time ago. She played the bored housewife card. He worked all the time. She wasn't getting the attention she wanted from him. I suspect she mostly stayed because of us. I mean…five kids…is a lot of work for two parents. A single parent…I don't know how that works. I wonder, though, if they might not be happier if they had the guts to walk away back then."
"I don't think anyone ever really understands the relationship between their parents, Vic. It's…complicated. Do you think they don't love each other?"
Vic shrugged.
"Hell if I know. But…even after we all grew up and moved out…what do they do? He still works and she still plays the cop's wife. I don't want to be that way."
"You're not. We're…not."
She offered him a smile.
"I know. But…I don't want us to become complacent with each other and stop trying. That's how…women like Julia Corbitt work their way into a situation. That's why they try. She will eventually find a man, single or not, who wants what she's offering."
"I'm not that man."
"I know that, Walt. Anyway, back to your answer. What do you want to do with me?"
His expression shifted and Vic rolled her eyes, knowing she walked into it. Shoving at his arm, she huffed.
"Besides that."
Walt smiled and his expression turned thoughtful.
"The day that we had the picnic, that was nice."
She smiled in return.
"It was. I liked that."
Walt shifted on the couch.
"What would make you happier?"
Her expression turned wistful.
"Some fucking sleep."
Walt half smiled.
"That's certainly an achievable goal. What else?"
"Less stress and anxiety."
"Also doable."
She inhaled a deep breath.
"I have a lot of vacation saved up. We're going to Philly for a week. Maybe…after that week…we go somewhere else. We relax, stay in bed as long as we want. I would like for my hardest decision of a day to be what to eat for dinner. You know what I'm saying?"
He did. He definitely did.
"I do. We can do that, Vic. What about work?"
She shrugged.
"They owe me. I have covered for everyone lately, Cady included. I don't think anyone will object to me taking some time for myself. Honestly, if they do, that's their problem. I don't want to be like my dad, where all I have is work. I like my job…most of the time. But…I don't want it to be my life."
Walt stretched his arm out across the couch behind her.
"I understand. After losing Lucian, I felt the same way. He spent so much of his life on the job, he pushed away or ignored any other chance for happiness. What was left of his family was gone. When he died, he didn't have anyone."
"He had you."
"I know. But, it's not quite the same. I was with Martha in her last moments. As odd as it might sound, I treasure that. I wasn't there when she was attacked. But, I held her hand as she passed. I have to believe that gave her some peace. I couldn't see it at the time, but it was important for both of us. Lucian died on his own terms. But, he died alone in the world. No one should do that."
Silence descended over them. Walt's hand rested on her shoulder and she leaned into him. After a while, Walt spoke in a gentle voice.
"I know the thought of death scares you, but one of the greatest gifts you can give someone is to be with them."
She sat up and swiped at a tear that hadn't fallen.
"Death…doesn't scare me. Your death scares me. But, I understand what you're saying. I know…it happens to everyone. I just…when that time comes…I want to know that we don't have any regrets about what we did or didn't do."
Walt combed his fingers through her hair.
"I know. Me too. So…let's don't."
Vic smiled and elbowed him in the ribs good naturedly.
"You make it sound so simple."
"Hmm…not simple, but doable."
xxx
"Are you up?"
Vic groaned and pressed her face deeper into the pillow. She mumbled something incoherent that only caused Walt to smile as he sat down on the bed, creating a slight slant to the mattress. His hand came to rest on her back and he gave it a gentle shake.
"I have coffee."
With that sentence, Vic used her arms to roll herself over onto her back, long strands of her hair falling across her face. She swiped at them and pushed them out of the way. Her eyes opened halfway and surveyed him.
Walt gestured at the bedside table. Vic turned her head and saw the to-go coffee cup sitting there with a thin line of steam rising up from it. The smell was extremely appealing. Vic pushed herself all the way up and leaned against the headboard. Walt passed her the coffee, which she sipped cautiously.
Her eyes closed at the first taste in appreciation.
"That's good."
She opened her eyes to find him watching her with a smile. A content smile.
"Well, if I know anything about you, it's how you like your coffee."
Vic took another sip and cradled the cup in her hands. Walt looked towards the window. She noticed he opened the curtains at some point, allowing bright sunlight to flood the room.
"So…are you planning to stay in bed all day?"
Vic shrugged.
"Well…I'm on vacation. So…you know…I just might."
Walt vibrated with a laugh.
"It's a nice day out."
Her eyes drifted back to the window.
"Looks like it. What time did you get up? I didn't hear you leave."
"Couple of hours ago. I went for a walk. Picked up coffee."
Vic shook her head at him.
"Too early."
"Old habits."
Vic's stomach rumbled and she pressed one hand over it.
"You didn't happen to bring back breakfast with the coffee, did you?"
He shook his head.
"Nope. If I brought you food, I would never get you out of here before lunch."
Vic sipped his coffee, smiling from behind the cup.
"You…are the one who wanted me to sleep so badly. You remember that? Now, you want me up and out. Make up your mind."
"How about the best of both worlds? You slept late. So, why don't you get up and we'll go and get some breakfast. Anything you want. There's…plenty of restaurants within walking distance."
Vic set her coffee cup aside and stretched her arms up over her head.
"Mmm…I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to the outside world just yet."
"Oh really?"
She reached out and touched his arm.
"Really. You talk about staying in bed all day like it's a bad thing. It's…really not. So…I have a proposition for you."
Her fingers trailed along the bare skin of his arm. Walt swallowed as her hand closed around his forearm.
"That sounds…dangerous."
Vic shrugged one shoulder and tilted her head.
"Could be. Or…it could just be really rewarding. See, now that I've caught up on my sleep…I have all this energy."
"Energy?"
She nodded as he echoed the word in a low voice. He knew her well enough to know exactly where this was going. He had a good idea of how it would play out in the end.
"Yes. So…why don't you…relax…"
She ran her hand up his arm until it touched the cotton of his tee shirt. Her eyes were focused on him with an intensity that rendered his mouth dry and his mind scrambled like an egg.
"Come back to bed."
She made the request in a voice that he would never deny. They both knew it. Walt considered her.
"I thought you were hungry."
"I am. Starving. But…I think I can manage for a while longer. So…here's my offer. You get back in this bed. And later, we'll go get some…lunch, brunch, whatever. Guess that depends on how long this takes. But, I gotta tell you, I'm not in a hurry."
Walt smiled.
"Sounds like a fair deal."
To reiterate her point, she sat up and extended her hand, letting it sit on his shoulder. Giving it a tug, she pulled him closer to her and pressed her lips to the stubbled skin along his jawline. She heard the change in his breathing almost immediately and smiled with her mouth pressed against him.
"You're too easy."
She whispered into his ear and shivers ran down his spine in the best way.
Walt pulled away from her, a challenge clear on his face. Leaning into her, he caught her by the arms and pushed her down until she was flat on her back, looking up at him with dark eyes.
"Easy, huh?"
Vic held his gaze unflinchingly, and with a hint of amusement.
"Yes."
Leaning down, Walt pressed his mouth to hers with intent. Vic's hands slid around his shoulders and pulled him down more firmly on top of her. He was mostly on the bed now. Walt used his feet to kick off his shoes and moved so that he hovered completely over her, deepening the kiss. She readily accepted the challenge.
Vic's hands moved from around his neck to the hem of his shirt and pulled it up with the clear intention of taking it off. The motion forced Walt to sit up, disconnecting from her, so that the shirt could clear his head. Vic pulled it loose and tossed it on the floor. Reaching up, she ran her hands down his chest slowly and with just a little pressure.
They stopped at the top of his pants. She smiled, her hand drifting to his belt buckle and resting there for a handful of seconds. Raising her other hand, she went to work on undoing the buckle with a speed that Walt found both arousing and impressive.
"You…are overdressed."
Vic pulled him back down to her. While she slid his belt free and unfastened his pants, she kissed him again slow and deep. When she separated her mouth from his, she let her head rest on her pillow, her hands on the skin at his sides. Walt's breathing was quickly becoming faster paced and somewhat ragged. Without fail, Vic always knew all the right buttons to push to get him exactly where she wanted him.
Not that he minded.
"Come on. Pants off."
Walt acquiesced. He shoved his pants down and off, tossing them on the floor with a rustle of denim as they joined his discarded shirt. Vic shifted over, making room for him. Walt slid under the sheets and rolled onto his side so that he was facing her.
"There. You got what you wanted."
"Hmm…with you…I usually do."
Walt wouldn't argue with that assessment. It was a mostly true statement, especially when it came to matters of intimacy. He reached out an pushed some hair behind her ear with a tenderness that softened her features.
Vic ran her hand along his side, her fingers skimming lightly over his skin. She was almost certain he shivered at the softness of her touch. His involuntary reaction only succeeded in encouraging her to repeat the action. Walt leaned over, pressed her into the mattress, using the weight of his body to hold her where he wanted her. His eyes roamed over her face. He moved his hand and sifted through the loose stands of her hair. It was soft and silky under his touch. He pressed his face into her hair and inhaled, breathing her in.
In his mind, she smelled like shampoo with a hint of soap, the wind that caressed the small beach town they were staying in, and something he couldn't quite identify. Something that was simply her. It would be incredibly easy to lose himself in the sensation of the way she felt and the way she smelled. Sometimes, he didn't mind that.
But, in that moment, he wanted to commit everything that was happening to his memory. He wasn't foolish or naïve enough to believe that days like these could be the norm. Not with the life they lived, the life they chose. But, for this day, this week, he could live in the moment. And, he wanted to be completely aware of everything that happened between them.
Something to savor for when he needed it down the road. When they needed, and they would. He knew that beyond a doubt. Vic must have sensed a change in his demeanor. Her hands slid up his arms and around his back, pulling him flush against her.
It was an embrace that wasn't about sex just then. It was about closeness, feeling him there with her in a conscious way that they could admit they didn't quite do enough.
Minutes ticked by on the clock as they stayed that way. When her grip loosened on him, it passed and Walt felt a new need surge up inside of him.
One that he was more than a little familiar with. He moved up, so that he hovered over her again and smiled down at her. Her chest expanded with a breath, which she then exhaled before biting down slightly on her bottom lip. Walt considered her.
"You're a bad influence."
Vic gave him an unapologetic look and a somewhat modified shrug.
"Yeah, I get that sometimes."
His smile widened and he kissed her again.
End