Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable, only my oc.
Chapter Two
XxxXxx
Daniel had left shortly after Addy asked him to do something after her shift. He had made the excuse of needing to run home and drop some stuff off. Truthfully, the idea of sitting there to eat the slice of pie she had brought him had felt awkward enough, let alone waiting for her to get off work. So he had taken the former and left. She had appeared a little uncertain when he was making excuses. Then she had asked him, "You will be back, right?"
Like so many things about the last few minutes of his life, her question had caught him off guard. He did not know why, it was a legitimate one. And given his own awkwardness, he supposed, it probably did look a little weird, so he assured her he would. He didn't really live that far away; only eleven miles, but eleven miles through the heart of The Springs at seven o'clock at night. An hour really had not given him much time to go home and come back. Daniel was also fully aware that the only one who felt awkward was him. He had not been on a date since Sha're, and let's face it, he had never actually dated his wife. Or really that many women in general, there had been Sarah before Sha're but only a handful of others.
And Sha're had just been given to him by her village elders. Granted, he had not exactly accepted the gift. But if those events had not initially transpired, he doubted he would have ever been with her. He had never felt anything close to a sense of ownership of her like the circumstance might suggest. He had treated her as an equal, something her people had not quite understood, especially her father. He simply told her what to do and expected his directions to be followed. Daniel had asked for her help and tried to learn to do things to make her life easier.
And besides, Daniel reminded himself: this was not a date.
There had been another woman in that time since Sha're's death, but Lynnea or Ke'ra was something he would prefer not to think about. If she had been the passionate young woman who only wanted to help her people he had met on Vius, who knew what would have happened between them. But she was not. Now, as Daniel pulled back into the diner parking lot, the idea of dating someone wasn't without appeal. Well, maybe dating was not the best way to put it. He had never been the best at such things; it was really just the idea of having someone to spend time with that appealed to him. Someone to share things with. Unfortunately, that was not so simple for him and to find that would probably require dating. Having someone in his life meant the late nights and being gone for extended periods of time would eventually need to be explained and he could never explain them. It would not matter how badly he would like to. Daniel couldn't imagine having someone in his life, someone he cared for and had to lie to them.
With Addy, things were different, and talking with her did not put him as on edge as it did with some, but there was a reason for that. She believed he was a government contractor who advised various agencies and the military on antiquities found in militarized zones. She also believed that when he disappeared he was on dig's, or overseas, or lecturing. The first part of that story was of his own making. It was as close to the truth as he could come and he didn't enjoy lying. The lecturing part had come from her assumptions and he had not corrected her. She was educated and generally curious but the major difference was her own background. Her father was a retired Green Beret of thirty years, so she understood the "I can't talk about it" line. In truth, she rarely asked him where he had been, but he knew she sometimes wanted to. If he was being honest, there were also times he wished he could tell her about some of the places he had seen. He knew she would be as fascinated as him by some of it. He also sometimes got the feeling she was happy to see him when he returned, and that was something else they had in common.
As much as he knew Ruby's Diner was only temporary for her, he could not imagine her not being here.
The light from the row of windows in the old fifties style diner spilled out onto the sidewalk. It glinted off the wet fall leaves scattered across the ground. She waved at him through the window nearest the entrance as he pulled into a space and put his car in park.
Less than a second later, she disappeared from his view, leaving him, again, feeling uncertain exactly what to do. Daniel stayed put, hesitating for half a second before he opened the door and got out. His eyes skimmed the front of the building for another moment, and he reminded himself there really was not any reason to be nervous. She might have an infectious smile and a way of looking at him that made him wish he knew what she was thinking. And the idea of spending time with her alone might be far more appealing than he knew was wise, but they were just two friends spending time together. Potentially saying goodbye, Daniel reminded himself, still uncertain exactly how he felt. Daniel clicked the button for his car alarm on his keyfob and headed for the steps. He grabbed the black metal railing as he took the three steps and opened the door that led to the lobby. Daniel's attention moved to the second glass door and the diner beyond. She was standing with her back to him, talking to Grace as she yanked a black jacket on over a dark blue hoodie. She took a grey knit hat from her coat pocket next, pulling it on over her head as he stepped through the second door.
XxxXxx
Addison jammed her arms into her jacket sleeves, well aware that Grace was suddenly having a hard time counting out their shift receipts because she knew Addy wanted to leave. Grace had been having entirely too much fun at her expense since Daniel had left. Addison, truly needed absolutely no help, being nervous. She was also pretty certain Grace was aware of this and that was why she was being so damn helpful. Addy shoved her hand in her pocket next, extracting her hat.
Addison pulled on her hat. "Are we good yet?" she asked, unstirred by Graces sudden assurance that Addy's portion of their receipts did not balance.
"Mmmhmmmm," Grace said, her gaze fixing on the door behind Addy just as the bell dinged. "It would appear he didn't lose his nerve after all."
The butterflies in Addy's stomach had not really stopped fluttering since she had asked him out. The feeling intensified as she turned back around, Grace fading from her mind. Unlike her, he wasn't wearing a jacket and had changed, trading his checked button down shirt for a light grey sweater that zipped halfway up. Presently it was unzipped just enough so Addison could see the hollow in his throat and glimpse his chest. Addy heard Grace snort behind her, but that was not what had her just standing there for a moment. Nor was it just how much she liked him in that particular shirt or the glimpse of chest it afforded her. It was the look in his eyes as their gazes met. It seemed to mirror the mixture of anxious excitement and uncertainty swirling inside her.
Telling herself to knock it off, Addison reached up, tucking an errant hair under the edge of her hat and behind her ear.
Determined not to act like a complete imbecile for the entire evening, when she reached him, she asked, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah," Daniel replied, nodding his head as he said again, "yeah." Daniel stared down at her. A blush stained her skin, apparently forgetting for the moment that she was not going to act like an imbecile, she stared back..
"Should we go?" she asked, remembering herself.
His face flushed and he nodded, apparently just remembering what he was doing and made to open the door. A soft smile played about her lips as he turned away from her.
"Have fun kids," Grace called, unmistakable laughter in her voice.
Addy said nothing, but her attention briefly turned to her friend, she scowled at her for half a second.
When her attention came back to Daniel, he was holding the door open.
"What do you want to do?" Daniel asked as she stepped through and he let the door close behind them. He thought about suggesting a movie but he was not really certain what she would have in mind. Or what two "friends" like them would do.
"Hm…" she began as he stepped forward opening the second door. "How about ice cream?"
"Ice cream?" Daniel could not say that didn't catch him by surprise. "Sounds good." He could not remember the last time someone asked him to get ice cream, but he was thinking not since he was a kid.
"Do you know where the Rabbit Hole is?" She asked next.
XxxXxx
"Pumpkin Pie Swirl," Addy said, leaning into the counter. Addy looked over at her companion to see the doubtful look in his blue eyes as he looked at her.
"Haven't you ever had pumpkin pie and ice cream?"
The answer to that question was yes, but he was not so certain about pumpkin pie ice cream. The green eyes girl behind the counter spoke before he could reply. "For you, sir?"
"Ah," Daniel began, his attention shifting from her, he peered through his glasses at the menu overhead. "How about a spiced apple cider?"
Addy turned around, leaning her hips against the counter. She watched as he pulled his wallet from his pocket. Folding her arms over her chest, she gave him a doubtful look. "Apple Cider?" she inquired, a hint of teasing in her voice. "I thought this was us having ice cream?"
When Daniel's brows grew close, like they were want to do when he wasn't certain how to respond, Addy scowled, hiding a smile as he looked down at her.
For a second, she almost had him apologizing again, that was until her lip twitched upward a fraction. He should have known she was playing with him like she did. An hour or so ago, he would have immediately known that, now he was unsure again. However one thing was clear: the evening was going to be long if he kept doubting everything he said. "I wanted something warm," he trailed off, his eyes leaving her as he took his change from the cashier and said thank you.
She continued to watch him, studying his profile. She supposed, it was a little chilly outside for ice cream, it had barely hit sixty three today and right now she was guessing it was somewhere in the high fifties.
"I guess I am weird," she offered with a shrug, not telling him she had asked him to come because this was the last chance she would have to have The Rabbit Hole's ice cream before she left. Refusing to think about it, or the heavy feeling it made her feel, Addy pushed away from the counter, leaving Daniel behind to await their order. There were a few other people in the parlor. A little girl whose face was painted to look like a tiger was sitting not faraway with her parents. She slid from her seat, taking her mother's hand. Addy smiled at her. The little girl scrunched up her nose and growled at Addy as she passed her. Addison wrinkled her nose right back.
She watched the little girl and her parents make their way out the door, then she wandered closer. Hands in her jacket pockets, she placed her knee on one of the recently vacated chairs and surveyed the Maze made from bales of hay stacked four high, in the park across the street.
The road was lined with cars and so was The Rabbit Holes parking lot. They had been lucky to find a place to park at all. Fall Carnivals were not all that uncommon and this one was being thrown by the Cheyenne Mountain High School to support their football team. There were literally at least six different flyers for six different fall events hanging on the bulletin board at Ruby's right now. So this was just one of many they would have through the fall and winter, along with others from rival high schools. Even in a town as big as Colorado Springs, high school football could be a big deal. And rightly so, she had read, last fall, that Cheyenne Mountain High had had their varsity quarterback recruited by a division one school.
Daniel arrived at her side, drawing her attention as he handed her her ice cream. Addy turned, sitting down at the table, just as the young woman who had waited on them arrived to wipe it off. Daniel sat down across from her, Addy took a bite of her sundae.
She leaned forward on her elbows, watching Daniel as he took a drink of his apple cider. "Good?" she inquired.
Placing his cup back on the table, Daniel turned it in his hands. "Yeah, it's good."
"That's good, so is mine," she said with a lift of her eyebrow.
For reasons she did not understand, she had no idea what to say after that. Maybe her determination to not look like a complete imbecile by the time the night was over with was wearing off. Addy's lips quirked up at the edge. It was entirely possible. It was actually looking like she was not even going to make it an hour. But conversation did usually flow better when both sides had something to say. Her father would most likely tell her that she usually had enough to say for both parties. Addy waited a moment longer to see if he would say something. Taking another bite of her ice cream, her attention passed out the window. "Did you know, Cheyenne Mountain Highs, quarterback was recruited to play for Roll Tide, last year?" she asked, knowing he had probably had no idea.
"No, I didn't, but that's a big deal." College football, really any football was not something he paid attention to, but being recruited by a school like Alabama State was huge.
"Yeah. Texas takes high school football so seriously," she paused as she sought the right analogy. "It's almost on a religious level. I was still fairly young when we were living in Fort Worth, but homecoming was nuts." realizing she probably had nothing to help the flow of conversation, she suggested, "We could do our part and check out the maze?"
Daniels, brow furrowed, his attention moving out the window. "If you would like."
"I think I would."
The maze had been a no go so they had wandered through the Carnival but stuff had been winding down by that point. People were packing stuff up and leaving. So they continued to walk through the park. After a few minutes Addy turned, walking backwards, her eyes drifting down his face.
Hands in his pockets, Daniel continued to follow her, as she backed into the light of one street light then out. Her gaze narrowed as she licked her ice cream from her plastic spoon. "I've known you for what? A year now?" she questioned.
Daniel wasn't so certain her question required an answer, but still, he said "Yes." He had started frequenting Ruby's a week or so after Sha're's death. He had truly lost her long before that day, so long she had only ever called his home, her home in his dreams. But somehow it had seemed empty after she died, like she had been there with him all along. He knew it was the death of what little hope he had still clung to. She had been gone a little over a year now and he still felt like it was his fault and he had failed her. Daniel was certain he would always carry that guilt, but he had learned to live with it. Going to Ruby's had been a first step in moving on, making a change in his life, no matter how small.
"And there is still a lot I don't know about you," she said next as she turned back around, interrupting his thoughts as she fell into step at his side.
"What would you like to know?"
She looked up at him just then, the unnecessary amount of concentration on her face brought a smile to his lips. "I know you lived in Chicago and here, but have you lived anywhere else? Where are you from?" she inquired.
It was not like Daniel could tell her he had lived on Abydos for a year. "I lived in New York as a child."
"Where did you attend school?"
"I did my undergruate work at Ithica and my graduate at Columbia."
"Wow," she began, feeling more than a little jealous for the moment. "Columbia, I can't even imagine." Addy had only ever planned to do her undergraduate work in Colorado, the plan had been to apply to UC Davis for her graduate work. And she had done so and was accepted. "I had planned to do my graduate program at UC Davis."
Daniel nodded, truly curious. UC Davis had one of the best veterinary teaching hospitals in the country. He had gone to Columbia with a girl whose older sister had gone there. "Why didn't you?"
Moving from his side, Addy dropped her ice cream in a trash can on the side of the path, Daniel waited for her. She turned back around, pulling her hat from her head. "I did. I mean, I was accepted. But mum was diagnosed with Parkinson's just before I received my acceptance letter."
Daniel instantly felt stupid. He knew her mother had died from Parkinson's a couple years before they had met. He should have connected those dots as soon as she mentioned planning to do her graduate program at UC Davis.
"How about your parents?" she asked.
"They actually died when I was eight."
Addy's steps faltered and her gaze shot to his face. He didn't look at her so she studied his profile for a minute. "I'm so sorry, Daniel." She had had no idea. After all their talks she hadn't known. She had always picked up this vibe that he had been through something awful, but she never would have guessed this. Then again maybe she should have, he had never really mentioned them or any family for that matter.
A soft smile she knew was meant to reassure her slipped across his face. "It's all right, it was a long time ago. There was an accident in the museum where they worked and they died."
Addy slowed to a stop, tilting her head to the side. Despite the shadow they stood in, something in his face belied his words. The smile was rehearsed and designed to help others feel less uncomfortable. Addy's stomach knotted tightly, she knew that smile well. Losing her mom at twenty one had been hard enough, she could not even begin to imagine having lost both parents, especially so young.
When she remained silent, Daniel said softly, "It's really okay. It was a long time ago."
Addy's attention drifted over his face. No matter what he said it really was not okay. Or maybe it was okay because it had to be, not because it really was. You still needed them. There had been so many times in Addy's life since she lost her mother that she had needed her and it was not okay.
Daniel stepped forward, beginning to walk again. "Now I think it's my turn," he said glancing at her, obviously ready to change the subject. "What about you?"
"Ok, what would you like to know?"
"Why Addison?" he began, stammering a little as he added so not to offend her, "It's an unusual name for a woman. I would have thought Adelaide or Adele more likely to be your real name."
Daniel found himself stammering again as her brows knit together and she pursed her lips. "I'm...I'm sorry, if…" his words trailed off as she laughed softly. She was teasing him again. But right now, at this moment, he felt an almost overwhelming desire to step closer. Step closer and slip his hand along her cheek and trace the bow of her lips with his thumb. He wondered if she would laugh at him then or if for once she would be silent.
After a moment more, oblivious to his thoughts, she finally replied, "Ummm, well, it is a family name. My mum had complications when she was pregnant with me so the doctors told her no more kids. So, to make a very long story short, I'm named for my dad and granddad."
Seconds later she had a question of her own. "What made you decide to become an archaeologist?"
"My parents were archaeologists and so was my grandfather," Daniel replied. He quickly added, in light of moments ago, "but really I've always liked." His gaze dropped, brows knitting together as he continued, stumbling over his words, "loved. Loved, really is a better word. I always loved learning about ancient cultures, languages, where we come from."
Stomach fluttering softly, Addison's fingers itched to reach out and smooth his brow. A breathy sensation filled her chest, her eyes dropping to his lips, even as a soft smile wreathed her own. She had absolutely no idea why a man like him would seem so unsure, but it did something to her. She wished he could see himself like she did. "I get it," she said softly, the look in his eyes change, burning with a different type of light, that made that breathless feeling grow. The world around them seemed to fade away. Heat spread across Addison's skin and it grew tight. All she could think about for a moment was kissing him. Willing the chaos building inside her to subside, Addison took a deep breath. Up ahead on the path she could just make out the lights of the roller skating rink, through the trees. "Can you skate, Daniel Jackson?"
Daniel peered down at her through the shadows surrounding them. He had heard her question but was still focused on whatever had just passed between them. His fingers itched again to touch her. The softness of her voice and the way she had looked at him. When she looked at him like that, Daniel sometimes forgot they were friends and some deep buried part of him wanted her to be so much more.
"Skate?" she inquired, a second time.
Daniel cleared his throat and shook his head, pushing those thoughts out of his mind. Skate? She was talking about roller skating. His attention moved down the path to the lighted building about fifteen yards away. She wanted to know if he could skate.
"Ahhhummm," was Daniels response. His attention passed between her and the lights up ahead again. His mouth closed for a moment as he met her gaze again. Unbridled laughter greeted him. Ignoring her reaction as much as possible, he said, "I was never very good at it."
Laughing at him again, she turned so she faced him and grabbed his hand and said, "Come on." Her eyes grew big as she encouraged, "you got this."
"I am not so sure about that," He replied, his brow lifting as his attention dropped to where her hand held his.
She tugged on him and took a step back, "Come on."
Caught between telling her yes and not wanting to make of fool of himself in front of her, Daniel remained silent.
"Please," she said, bestowing him with her brightest smile.
Despite the fact he really was not lying, roller skating had never been his strong suit, he found himself smiling and beginning to cave. He forgot exactly why this might not be the wisest idea, when she drug her teeth across bottom lip and smiled happily up at him.
She took a step backward, still holding onto his hand.
Daniel moved with her and did so again as she took another step backward. "Should we go get my car?" he finally asked.
"It's not far, we can after?" She suggested, dropping his hand, now that she knew he had given in.
XxxXxx
A few minutes later when Daniel had paid for skates and was putting them on he was seeing how embarrassing this could be. Or rather as she stood there, leaning against the railing waiting for him to finish, he was realizing that if his coordination had not vastly improved, she was most likely going to see him in ways he would rather she did not.
Daniel finished lacing his skate, he warned, "You know, I wasn't lying. I'm really not very good at this."
Concentrating, he grabbed the railing in front of him and stood up beside her.
Tilting her head to the side, she studied him for a moment. "Well, my advice would be to try and keep your feet under you," she finished. Addison pushed away from the railing a bit. Her first instinct was to offer him her hand and help him, but instead she skated a little ahead, waiting for him. She glanced over her shoulder, silent laughter spread through her as he stumbled a little taking off.
She waited for him to catch up. He didn't look at her, it was very obvious he was concentrating.
"You never skated as a kid?"
"No, no, I did," he began, thrusting his arms out from his sides to correct his balance, his brow knitting together. He hazarded a quick glance in her direction. "I just wasn't very good at it. You," he added, gesturing toward her as she skated along smoothly beside him, "obviously were."
Leaning to the right, she skated a tight circle around him. "Oh, no," she began shaking her head as she circled him a second time. "I was not," she finished, as she slowed and fell in beside him again. "Honestly, I was pretty uncoordinated as a kid, but that didn't keep me from doing things. And I eventually figured that if I relaxed when skating things went better and as long as I could stay upright that's all that mattered."
Wise words, and if someone had said them to him as a child maybe he would not have fallen and bruised his tailbone or tried and failed so many times.
"Really, there were advantages to being a military brat I suppose." She went on "If I sucked at something, it didn't matter because chances were I was going to be gone in two or three years," she finished, her eyes twinkling playfully.
Daniel felt an answering smile tug at his own lips.
"Really, though, I just loved to play, and to belong. Team sports gave me a sense of belonging, that it is hard for military kids to find," she shrugged.
Daniel studied her profile for a minute. That was something he could understand. He had never felt like he belonged anywhere after his parents died. His own grandfather had not even wanted him. "How many places have you lived?"
"Seven. I was born in Italy and since then I have lived in Alaska, Texas, North Carolina, Germany, Virginia and Colorado. The colonel requested Fort Carson because he planned to retire here."
"See, I knew you could skate," she encouraged as he rolled along with relative smoothness at her side.
"Yeah, I guess," Daniel replied. He was not so certain that would remain true if he had to come to a sudden stop.
"You know," Addy began, "I have never been able to skate backwards, for all my sage advice about relaxing."
Daniel had no idea what to say or if he was supposed to comment at all, but before he needed to figure it out, Addy was speaking again.
"It's been a few years," she observed. "Maybe I should try it again."
Addy turned around on her skates, and made it about two feet before she promptly ended up on rear. Laughing almost before she hit the ground, she made a whining noise as she rotated her hip, lifting one bruised cheek from the ground. She gave up and flopped backward, her body shaking with indignant laughter.
"Are you alright?" Daniel asked, managing to stop and carefully lower himself down to one knee.
Addison threw her arm over her eyes, making a loud disgruntled noise again. "No," she said dramatically. "I think I bruised my ass and my ego."
Now that he was certain she was all right, he smiled. "Do you need help up?" he offered, not really certain how much help he would be.
Addison moved her arm back to her forehead and arched one dark brow at him. "If you are offering, maybe just a hand?" she said as she gingerly sat up. Her backside was tender. Daniel gained his feet, offering his hand. Addy didn't take it, instead she got onto her knees, getting the toe of one skate under her. She wrapped her hand around his forearm and was just back on her feet, when someone brushed past her back and sent her toppling into Daniel's chest and they both fell to the floor.
They landed in a tangle of limbs, with Addy on top.
"Are you okay?" Addy questioned, as she lifted herself up.
Glasses askew, Daniel whispered. "I think so, besides the fact I can't really breathe." She untangled herself from him and moved to sit beside him, her brow creasing as Daniel put his hand on his chest and coughed, gasping a couple times.
"Are you sure you are okay?" she inquired a second time, laughter in her voice.
"Yeah, I am fine," he rasped, his brows knitting together. He sat up as well, coughing. "You?"
"I am fine," she replied, laughing outright. After a moment he laughed as well.
XxxXxx
A while later
XxxXxx
They made the walk back across the park to Daniel's car in relative silence, neither one really hurrying. The hour was late and it had rained while they were inside, the light from the streetlamp's shined off the wet sidewalk. Addison had stayed silent because she knew this was it. This was really it. And after tonight, after actually spending time with him, she really wasn't all right with it. The feeling continued as they came into sight of his car. Addison glanced up at him, his attention was on the path ahead of them. She urged herself to say something; anything really, but the words would not come. When they reached his car, one thing was clear, Addy knew she couldn't do this.
She reached out grabbing his wrist. "Daniel." He turned, looking down at her. "I," she began, her gaze dropping to his mouth. She really didn't understand why she was having such a hard time with this. Moving closer, she lifted up onto her tiptoes, her lips seeking his. And she slipped, smacking her forehead into his nose.
One of Daniel's hands settled on her arm as she righted herself. She looked up at him, one hand on her forehead, her face flamed crimson.
Daniel had his back to her, his head bent. He turned back around, hissing as his hand dropped from his nose. He tilted his head back.
Addy stepped forward. "I'm so sorry, Daniel," She said. "Let me see."
Daniel glanced down at her, opening his mouth to tell her he was all right, until he saw her. His gaze shot back to her and he stared. She was so beautiful, concern burning in her eyes. Daniel turned, sitting down on the edge of his hood.
She stepped closer, her thighs brushing against the top of his leg as she leaned in. She touched his face, gently turning his head and urging his chin up. "No blood and it's not broken."
He could have already told her that but it felt like it was. But right now, Daniel didn't care. Her hand had left his face, but she'd only moved back a half a step and all Daniel could do was stare at her mouth. His heart pounding as he realized what she had been attempting to do. Frozen, Daniel's mouth was suddenly dry, he ran his tongue across his bottom lip, willing himself to move.
Sighing softly, she stepped back again, turning her back to him, her hands went to her hips. Less than half a second later her body started shaking with silent laughter, that very quickly became audible.
Daniel stretched his legs out in front of him and folded his arms over his chest. Addy peaked at him and nearly doubled over laughing even harder. She turned facing him again. Slowly dragging her teeth over her bottom lip, her eyes twinkling, she shook her head as their gazes held. "I swear I'm not secretly trying to maim you."
Daniel had no idea, where it came from, he had never been sarcastic with her but he couldn't help it. He deadpanned "Well, that's good, because if you were aiming for secrecy you aren't very good at it."
She gave him a shocked look, her mouth dropping open. "You're kinda mean, Daniel Jackson," she accused.
"And you," he began, in his own accusatory tone, "might owe me a new set of glasses." Truthfully, he already knew his glasses were fine, they were tucked safely inside his jacket pocket, but that didn't stop the teasing.
Her eyes burned even brighter with amusement and seemed to say 'I might feel bad for your nose, but I am so not replacing your glasses.'
Forgetting why he should not, Daniel stood, stepping closer to her. He held her gaze. The laughter in her eyes died and they dropped to his mouth. Daniel reached up, his hand sliding into the soft hair at the back of her head, even as he lowered his own. Somewhere in the back of his mind it registered that he apparently could make her stop laughing as he brushed his lips against hers.
A startled breath escaped her but she barely noticed as Daniel's lips moved over hers. Addy's hands found their way to the front of his shirt, holding on tightly. A second later Daniel lifted his head.
Addy's eyes stayed fixed on his chest, that feeling of regret that had been lingering in the shadows all night, swamped her, twisting her inside into knots. "Daniel," she began, fingers still tangled in the front of his shirt, she struggled. Taking a deep breath, she stepped back and started again, "I am leaving. I mean I am moving in five days." She finally looked up at him.
Daniel's brows lifted, his hands slipping into his pockets as he stepped away as well. "I…" he began stammering as confusion swamped him. She was leaving. Leaving, not just quitting her job. She was actually leaving leaving. Leaving The Springs, leaving. She...that meant... Daniel did not want her to go. "I see." His gaze dropped to the ground, his brow knitting as he continued, "Where… where are you going?"
"Fort Collins, to finish my clinical." Gaze suddenly riveted to the ground, she continued. "I wanted…. I mean," she began a second time. "I should have," her words trailed off, her stomach knotting painfully. She did not know how to tell him, she really wished she had not waited so long or that she liked him so much more than she had realized.
"Hey," Daniel said softly, his hand slipping along her cheek again as he moved closer once more. He urged her to look at him. He had planned to tell her she had nothing to apologize for until he saw the look in her eyes. Naked confusion and regret swirled in their depths, Daniel's chest tightened, making it difficult to breathe.
"Daniel," she whispered. Heat spread across her skin, confusing swirling even more inside her.
He didn't reply, his attention dropped to her lips. Still cupping her cheek in his hand, Daniel traced the bow of her bottom lip with his thumb like he had wanted to earlier. Daniel lowered his head, gently capturing her lips again.
A soft breathy noise escaped Addy and her hand came up, wrapping around his wrist. She leaned closer. Daniel's other arm slid around her waist, pulling her into his chest.
After another moment, Addy pulled back just enough to whisper against his lips, "I don't want to go home."
Daniel lifted his head. He stared down at her, his mind racing. There was no misunderstanding what she wanted from him. There was the part of him, the part that always tried to do the right thing, that knew this was a very, very bad idea on many different levels; for many different reasons.
This could end up hurting the both of them.
But there was another part to Daniel, the part that had known for a long time that he could easily fall for her; that had been falling for her, the part that had fallen for her even more tonight. It was that part that had him lowering his head once again. Daniel brushed his lips against hers, stepping forward, and she moved with him. He reached behind her and pulled the car door open.
XxxXxx
Daniel turned, gently pulling her through the doorway, his lips capturing hers. Addison's heart pounded in her chest, her hands gripping the front of his shirt like they had earlier.
Daniel turned them, shrugging out of his coat. He caught her upper lip between his as he pushed the door closed with his foot and he dropped his coat on the chair. Addison pulled down on his sweater, pressing her body more fully into his, and she nipped at his bottom lip. One of Daniel's hands came up, slipping along her cheek before it found its way into her hair. The other found its way to the small of her back. Addison's hands left his shirt, she shrugged out of her own jacket, letting it drop to the floor.
Daniel's fingers left her hair, he deepened their kiss slightly, pulling her tightly against him for a moment, he turned them again. Moving her back against the door, he locked it. He kept her there, deepening their kiss. She moaned softly against his mouth, pressing herself into him, her tongue found his.
Daniel's hold on her tightened. He kissed her back in kind for a minute before he broke the contact of their lips. He rested his forehead against hers. Things were going to happen very quickly and he had to be sure. He visibly swallowed, "Is this…" His words trailed off as he took another deep breath, he closed his eyes tightly for a moment. "Are you sure this is, uh….is what you want?"
With Daniel's forehead still resting against hers, Addison's gaze dropped to his lips. She bit her own as she stared at his. Without a word she rose up on tip toe, brushing her lips against his lingeringly. She pulled back just enough, to whisper, "Yes," against his mouth.
Thanks for reading!
Authors Note: Well, where to start, haha! Thank you all so much for the follows, faves, and reviews! As a writer they make me so happy, haha!
I still haven't watched any further than I had when I posted the first chapter, I'm afraid if I do it will mess with my muses. I cannot wait to see if ya'll like this chapter as much as the first!