Hey, new chap!
It might seem a bit short but it was a little tricky to write a scene with little dialogue.
On personal note, I've been struggling with anxiety pains and needing a job.
But this is one thing that I look forward to finishing so here's the loves.
Initial completion: December 22, 2021
"Jus' a li'l dance, nothin' fancy."
Sarah's eyes briefly locked with his and she caught an impression of mischief in them. His grip was firm as she suspected, yet her hand felt safe in his as he led her to the center of the room.
Several tables and chairs had been rearranged to make a spot in which to dance. It wasn't all that grand, but rather cozy and friendly.
Neither one of them spoke of what manner to move in or which approach to take. Instead, they placed themselves side by side, still hand in hand. "Don' go steppin' on me good foot, now," he joked with that captivating smile of his. Sarah couldn't help a smile of her own as they began a little jig.
It was nothing special, the way they moved. But several others soon took notice of the usually uptight innkeeper suddenly dancing and began to cheer as music played from somewhere Sarah could not discern. The activity invigorated her as she stepped in tempo with the occasional kick of the foot. Her smile never dimmed and John's grin erupted into chuckles, the sound joining the gleeful music and encouraging cheers as the duo continued to move about.
Perhaps it was the commotion of the environment or simply the heat of the moment. But either way, something in Sarah's mind decided to have just a bit more fun. With John's hand still holding hers, she slowed her dance and moved in front of him. He, too, slowed down both his body and his laughter.
"Quite a lovely dancer, ye are, lass," he said between breaths. "Yer fairly light on yer-"
He instantly went quiet as Sarah carefully placed his large, robotic hand around her thin waist. Immediately she sensed his apprehension and even felt the retraction of his metal fingers, yet something inside her just felt different. Different in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Sarah?"
His unusually soft voice brought her attention to his worried expression. She knew she was behaving oddly but still let her determined gaze shine through. She felt bold.
"May I lead?" she asked hopefully.
Though clearly shocked and unsure, the cyborg oh so delicately held her waist in his robotic grasp. A simple nod of confirmation and Sarah led her partner in dance as onlookers whooped and music continued to fill the air.
Though John continued with his nervousness, Sarah's eager attitude proved contagious. Before long, the two were twirling around the room, laughing along with the small crowd. The energy in the room felt invigorating and warm, and the space between the dancing couple was something particular.
The hands that held her were both strong yet gentle, and he was certainly good at dancing, though he would surely deny it. The feeling was odd, frolicking about with a man, but absolutely welcome.
Much to even her astonishment, Sarah brought her face closer to his and whispered. "Spin me," she said.
He released his robotic hold on her and kept her right hand in his left. However, she took him by surprise once more and placed her hand in his cybernetic palm instead. He froze, shock visible in his eyes and determination evident in hers.
"Don't stop until I tell you, okay?"
Their conflicting stares locked briefly before he gently closed his metal hand to grasp hers.
Sarah's eyes focused, her expression never changing, and he began to spin her. Slowly at first, but she insisted that he pick up the speed. As he did she kept her attention on her quick footwork and made sure she was keeping it up. Onlookers cheered her on, certainly curious as to just how quickly she could go. The longer she spun, the faster she went.
How long or how fast, who knew?
It wasn't long at all before she called time and John slowed gradually enough for her to catch up. However, her immense dizziness sent her plummeting. He was quick to catch her in his other arm and she grabbed her head, her other hand still firmly in his right.
"Sarah?" he asked with concern.
She answered with a hearty laugh and the brightest smile. "I haven't done that in years!"
Her heart was racing and her head was spinning. But as he had suggested earlier, she wanted to make the most fun of tonight. John soon joined in with her laughter as the crowd cheered for their innkeeper.
The night soon arrived and the festivities had finally died down. Many residents had expressed their joy in seeing Sarah loosen up and enjoying herself, though she chalked it up as only feeling the energy of the party.
It wasn't long before only two people were left once again.
Sarah had opted to do the dishes tonight if it meant she could sit considering she was still a bit dizzy. She had been in the kitchen and Silver was in the dining hall wiping tables. However, he was working slower than usual.
His mind was fixated on tonight, specifically on his dance with Sarah. He was still in a bit of shock from how she didn't hesitate to grab his robotic arm and flinched not at his touch. Such an occurrence was rarer than tritium, but this time it felt different. It felt special, like something he wanted to feel again.
But he shook his head and pushed those thoughts aside, knowing such a thing could never be possible. It wouldn't be long before the dock was repaired or he was found, and the less attached he became the less it would hurt when the time came.
Soon Silver finished cleaning up the dining hall before he decided to check on how Sarah was doing. A low chuckle escaped his lips when he found her still sitting in her chair, leaning against the edge of the wash bin, fast asleep. He knew she would have probably asked him to wake her, but he decided she deserved to rest. So he gently scooped her up in his arms and leaned her against his broad chest. She seemed unbelievably light and he could hear the faintest, softest of snores as he carried her up the stairs.
He wasn't sure which room was hers but he did know which ones had guests. And after some slight investigation, he found it. It must have been hers, considering the handful of paperwork, clothes, and pictures that adorned it. Another thing he noticed was that this room was not any bigger than the guest rooms. Of course she wouldn't have her room be any better than everyone else's, but this one was certainly more lived in and felt more like a home.
Silver carefully brought her to the large bed and pulled away the sheets, slowly removing her shoes before he gently placed the still sleeping Sarah under the blanket. The situation reminded him of when he first arrived and how she had helped him into bed.
As he placed her maid's mobcap on the nightstand he glanced at the various pictures around the room. Most of them were of Jim, some had both him and Sarah, and there were a few with the Doctor and what Silver assumed were other friends and acquaintances.
But there was one very small, very lonesome picture that caught the cyborg's attention. In it was a very young Jim next to Sarah and a man who looked very similar to the boy, yet his expression was nowhere nearly as bright or even content.
Leland Hawkins.
Silver felt like he could march out of there, track down the stink of that rotten barnacle, and knock him into next Sunday. He knew he was no saint himself, but what kind of yellow-belly would abandon such a hard-working woman to raise a son and run a business all alone?
Moving his gaze away from the picture his eyes settled back onto the peacefully sleeping figure as he sighed thoughtfully. Usually he didn't feel bad for the little things he did, such as lying, but something in his stomach felt pretty rotten right then.
Sarah had been through so much yet she was such a hard worker who asked for nearly nothing in return. And he was just a thieving crook who only worked for his own benefit, often at the expense of others. All he had done was deceive Sarah and she had taken it upon herself to make sure he didn't miss out on the party.
He was no better than the man in the picture.
A frustrated sigh left him as he looked away. His eyes then traveled to the newer picture on the nightstand of Jim in his Royal Interstellar Academy uniform, looking sharp and confident as ever. A sliver of a smile graced the cyborg's features as his heart surged with pride. It pleased him to know the boy- no, now a man- found a greater purpose for himself and should one day be in charge of his very own vessel.
A light suddenly went off in his head as Silver had a brilliant idea. He looked at Sarah once more, her lovely face resting serenely.
Yes, this was something he wanted to give her.
She did so much for him, more than he deserved, and she had the right to something special. Some preparation would be needed, those of which could greatly risk his position, but he wanted to do this before he left for good.
Affirming his decision he moved to leave the room, grabbing the doorknob before taking one final look at her. She looked like the angel that she was.
Ooh, what could Mr. Silver be planning? Will the dock be fixed or will his cover be blown? Why is the next chapter called "Is There a Problem?"
I'm excited to tell you all!
Thanks for your reviews again!