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PART 4 - WAKING UP
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The Next Morning
Andrea opened her eyes groggily and waited for her vision to come back into focus. She looked around and found herself in a strange bed in some else's home. Memories of the night before flooded back and she rubbed her arms, trying to reassure herself that she was still alive. Piccolo saved me, she thought. If he hadn't been there, I would have drowned. The somber thought made her wonder where her rescuer was. She pushed the fur blankets off and the air assaulted her bare skin. She shivered and put her feet over the side of the bed.
She heard a grunt come from the floor and her toes met with a sleeping form. Andrea peered down and saw Piccolo rub the sleep from his eyes. He sat up and saw that she was awake. The cold slithered towards her and she felt drafts charge up her body. Suddenly she looked down at herself and realized she was naked. Embarrassed, Andrea quickly pulled the covers up around her chest and looked over at the Namek, wanting an explanation. He cocked his head and pretended he didn't know what she meant.
"Piccolo...why am I not wearing any clothes?" she asked, indignation filling her voice. Suspicion crept onto her face and she wondered how much she could trust this man.
He saw the expression on her face and it was his turn to get angry. "I'm offended that you would even think of me taking advantage of you or acting in that way. You were bordering on the brink of hypothermia Andrea! I know your modesty is such a large price to pay for your life, but I figured you'd thank me later," he said sarcastically. "Would you rather have frozen to death, because I could have just as well left you there for all the gratitude you're showing," he turned away coolly and got up to leave.
"No wait!" Andrea bowed her head. "I'm sorry Piccolo. I should have thanked you for saving my life. Don't take my question as an insult, I almost died and I'm a little uneasy. That was wrong of me, I owe you and I'm sorry for jumping to a conclusion," she raised her head.
Andrea bit her lower lip. "Look," she said, staring over at him. "I don't want to fight with you anymore, I should stop getting mad at you every time you save my life," she smiled sheepishly. "Can we have a truce, ...please? All I want to do is get along."
For an instant an emotion registered on his face, but it was quickly shot down and wiped away. Piccolo gave a half smile. "I wasn't aware that we argued. If you can't take the way I treat you now, wait till you get on my bad side," he chuckled. "You should see how 'nice' I am to my enemies. Try to keep away from water for awhile, at least until you know how to swim. Next time, there won't be someone there to save you."
Andrea was about to protest when he pointed to a rack in the corner. "Your clothes are drying over there. I can't say your stay has been pleasant and I'm sorry for being unsociable but I think you can find your own way out." He nodded to the door and stepped into another room.
I tried to be nice to the man but not even a near death experience can do it for me. Andrea shook her head and stood up.
"You know what?" She called, "If it hadn't been for you I wouldn't have even fallen. You were the one who broke my concentration. Next time I fly, I'll make sure you're nowhere near me!" Still holding the covers around her she stalked towards her clothes and began putting them on.
That man makes me so mad! Piccolo really knows how to push my buttons and he definitely rubs me the wrong way. Andrea pulled angrily at her pant leg thinking of Piccolo and practically snarled as she snapped on her bra.
A few minutes later, Piccolo heard her slam the door and he walked back into the room. He picked up his bed furs that Andrea had left on the ground and went to go put them back. Piccolo noticed something odd about them but couldn't put his finger on it. He laid them down and sat on the edge of his straw pallet. He could still feel the warmth from where she had been sleeping and he stretched out on the bed frame. He closed his eyes and knew what was different. The blankets and bed felt like a woman had been there, he groaned.
Piccolo had devoted his entire life to first conquest and then to fighting. He had never had anything outside those primary goals and was unfamiliar to say the least in people skills, particularly those pertaining to the opposite sex.
Andrea was right when she had said he didn't know how to act around women.
And that's the only one I'm giving her credit for, that woman is wrong about everything else, he told himself. I'm not attracted to her am I? Piccolo shook his head. No, of course not. Women are frivolous creatures who annoy me with their nagging presence, especially that one. Her warmth began to dissipate from the pallet and he turned over and pressed his face into the bed. He could still smell where she had slept, a sweet mixture that left him with a disturbing sense of longing. Piccolo grunted and got up. I think I'll take a walk, he decided. It's a little hot in here.
-------
Andrea rushed through the forest, anger and frustration fueling her steps. She pushed leaves aside and ducked under branches, her mind elsewhere. Her thoughts flowed with mixed emotions towards the confusing Namek. She hated his apparent arrogance and the extremist disposition he took towards her, but she was really sick of fighting with him. He could be a little nicer at least, she grumbled. All I'm trying to do is learn to fly; it's not like there's a law-forbidding women against it. But Piccolo acts like I'm doing something taboo, or 'going against my nature'. He doesn't even know the first thing about... Andrea's reflections became jumbled with irritation and she tried sorting through them.
After a minute she thought along the same course and got back on track. And he always has to be right, his mistaken ideas really grate on my nerves. There has never been a man who bothers me as much as that one. I've used more patience refraining from slapping him than I've ever needed for anyone else. Why do I let it get to me, can't I just ignore him?
It's the way he is but I don't understand why he always has to act unfeeling and aloof. Piccolo could make a lot more friends if he just didn't see everyone he first meets as an opponent. This Namek is like a case I have to work on. I'll make him open up and show me what he keeps bottled inside that head of his. He makes everything so hard for himself. Piccolo acts like if it isn't unrelenting and harsh than it isn't really worth winning. He purposely pushes me away.
When I offered him my friendship he turned it down. Does he really hate me that much? Andrea frowned and knitted her brows together. She was preoccupied and didn't notice the object of her musings flying above her.
--------
Piccolo looked down and groaned. Andrea ran below him, her head bent and her arms swinging. Why should it bother me that she's down there, he said to himself, she's just a woman. Exactly, he answered, and you know nothing about the lot of them.
Without even thinking he flew down and stopped right in front of her.
Engrossed in her thoughts Andrea suddenly ran into a solid wall. "What the...?" she said as she started to fall.
Piccolo reached over and grabbed her arm before she stumbled to the ground.
Andrea looked up and her eyes met with a pair of dark ones, attached to a familiar green face. "Piccolo, where did you come from?" she asked, surprised.
"Oh... well, I didn't think about it, but we're too far from civilization for you to walk back on your own," he shrugged his shoulders and continued, making up his excuse on the spot. "I'll have to fly you back or it'll take you days to get back to the city," And then, as an idea emerged, he changed his mind and tilted his head. "Actually Andrea, you're going to get back on your own."
"What! You're leaving me! Again?! Oh no you don't. If we're out in the middle of nowhere, you're bringing me home!" She seized his arm and held it firmly. Andrea gave him a stubborn look and frowned. "I'm not going to let you abandon me again."
He easily took away her hand. "No, no, you're going to fly yourself home."
On hearing his words her face quickly turned to panic. Piccolo saw her expression change and taking her shoulders he shook her roughly. "You're not going to wimp out on me, I'll be next to you in case you fall. Although... you know just how much I like doing that Andrea," he stared at her pointedly and she lifted her chin. She remembered; his insult about overestimating her still stung. I'll show him, she thought.
"Flying is fine with me," she said bravely.
"Good," he let go of her.
Andrea followed him and they walked to a break in the trees. He surveyed the area, and satisfied, Piccolo looked up, taking a deep breath. He turned to her and nodded. Andrea followed his example, inhaling deeply and slowly letting the air out.
This is it she thought. Somehow she knew it, she was going to fly this time or never try again. Andrea squared her shoulders, spreading her legs apart and pushing her heels against the ground. She eased her breathing and thought of nothing except her goal, to reach the sky. Piccolo reached over and took her hand. Andrea gave it a nervous squeeze and was surprised when the action was returned as reassurance. She opened her eyes and looked over at him. Piccolo stared straight ahead.
"Andrea, concentrate, remember what you're doing."
"Right," she nodded; a stubborn expression set on her face.
"You've done this enough by now, you should be an old pro," he gave a half smile. "This time don't just imagine yourself trying to fly, see yourself doing it, and know that you're a master in the air. Give yourself that sense of confidence and just lift off like its second nature."
She turned her head to one side and grinned, "Ok then, I'm ready. Let's go." Andrea didn't think, she acted as if she were putting one foot in front of the other. It was an involuntary action; suddenly she just rose off the ground. She opened her eyes and glanced nervously over at Piccolo.
"Remember Andrea, you're the master," he said meeting her look.
Yeah, he's right, she told herself. Technically Andy, you've already flown by yourself twice. And before you crashed you were doing rather well, she thought. Just do it girl, he's right here and everything's fine. Go on, get up there, you're already know how. Andrea relaxed. She went higher and breathed deeply.
"Look at me Piccolo." She whispered excitedly. "I'm levitating." Andrea smiled proudly. "I'm controlling my ki."
He nodded and watched as she grew more comfortable in the air by the minute.
Wonder filled her face and she looked over at him with sheer delight. Her fear fell away and with Piccolo beside her, she achieved a new confidence.
"Watch this." Andrea gained boldness and she winked at Piccolo. He shifted his gaze uncomfortably and she suddenly had a devious idea. Andrea smiled devilishly and the Namek wondered what he'd gotten himself into, teaching her to fly.
"We've gotta test my new skills right Piccolo? Make sure they work?" Andrea's grin grew. "Better hold on, I'm gonna take you for one wild ride!" Andrea wrapped her fingers through his and swiftly shot upward.
They burst out from the trees and she did a 360 circle in mid air. Andrea zigzagged, with her cargo still in tow and laughed loudly. She felt in complete authority, no iffy headwinds throwing her off. A steady breeze blew but it didn't bother her at all. Maybe it was the Namek's reassuring presence, or it could have been that she had always known she could do it, she just needed someone like Piccolo to tell her so.
Whatever helped her stay up she didn't care. Andrea felt independence course threw her and she was overcome with a sense of self-accomplishment. "I can do it!" She cried, beaming. The sky was her palace and she was it's princess. Andrea whirled through her imaginary castle and never remembered ever being so free and happy. Her eyes sparkled with joy and her cheeks flushed with triumph.
"Piccolo, I can't see how you ever manage to suppress a smile when you're up here. This is great!" Bringing him to her side, she drove higher and then suddenly rocketed downward.
"Andrea! What are you...?" Piccolo started, but his voice was pushed from his lungs as they went down faster.
She pulled up out of the nosedive with exact control and grinned again. "This is so perfect Piccolo, I could spend forever up here!" Andrea zipped around, speeding up and making sharp turns. She whizzed past a flock of geese and laughed when they honked loudly at them.
"Guess they don't like the company," she said, looking back at Piccolo with a glowing smile. She let go of his hand and twirled around. The feeling of flying and knowing she could be up here and stay in charge was intoxicating. Andrea felt giddy and content, her previous frustration and dejection at not being able to get airborne was entirely forgotten. She soared higher and gaining speed went right through a low floating cloud.
"This is absolutely wonderful!" She said, coming out the other side. Andrea slowed and came up beside Piccolo. "Thank you for helping me to get up here. Now I owe you even more." She stopped and gave him a big hug.
He looked down at her and couldn't help but grudgingly feel some of her exuberance rub off on him. She's gotten so excited, over flying? It's useful yes, but why is she taking such pleasure from this daily activity, he wondered. When he first learned the trait, Piccolo never remembered ever being so exhilarated.
His thoughts wavered from her enthusiasm to the realization that she was holding him. Having her arms around him sent strange signals throughout his body and when she removed her hands, his shoulders burned from her touch. That stirring Piccolo felt when he had rescued her from the lake returned. It filled him with warmth towards the woman and though puzzling, it was a comforting presence. He was unexpectedly filled with a youthful mirth that he'd never felt before. I might as well have a little fun now, he thought. Pay her back for dragging me through those geese. Piccolo's eyes twinkled mysteriously and suddenly he vanished.
Andrea looked around gleefully and decided to play along. "You can't hide from me, I'll find you Piccolo." She raced off, ducking under tall trees and soaring upwards, forwards and downwards. Andrea peeked behind clouds and spun in circles.
Finally she spotted him, floating just above the forest line. Andrea flew around the side, brushing just above the treetops. She came up right behind Piccolo and was about tap his shoulder when he turned around and grabbed her first. He put his hands on her waist and lifted her above his head.
"Got ya! I could hear you a mile away Andrea!" he smiled. "I win."
"Oh no you don't," she countered mischievously and slipped out of his grasp. Laughing, she rose above his head. "Catch me if you can," she giggled.
"This chase will be over very quickly," he said and followed after her.
They zoomed together, Andrea throwing him off by turns and using clouds as camouflage. Piccolo always was a pace behind her, but soon he matched her move for move.
What am I doing? He wondered to himself. I never act like this. Piccolo saw Andrea turn and give him a flirty wink. The stirring came back full force and his chest started to ache. What is it? He asked his heart.
Andrea glanced behind her and saw the Namek gaining. She turned forward and suddenly crashed into him. Piccolo put his arms around her and pinned her up against him.
"You're not getting away this time," he said.
Andrea gave a halfhearted struggle and pretended to pout. "No fair, you can't cheat like that."
"I just did," he grinned. "What are you going to do about it."
"Well... I'm just gonna have to... escape again," she pushed away from him and wriggled out of his hold. Before she started racing though, Piccolo caught her arm and threw her over his shoulder.
"There," he said resolutely. "Now you can't go anywhere."
Andrea kicked out her legs and doubled over in laughter. "Put me down you big lug," she playfully swatted his back.
"Never!" he replied and wrapped his arms around her legs.
"Piccolo, I'm a big girl you can trust me," Andrea said, trying to keep a straight face.
"Humph. I'm not taking any chances," Piccolo hefted her up higher and tightened his hold on her legs, still playing along.
She giggled some more and dried her tears on his shoulder. "I won't fly anywhere. You can let me go."
"Hope I can really trust you," he poked her gently. Pretending to be wary, Piccolo set her down in front of him. She threw her arms around him and continued laughing.
"That was great! I haven't had such a good time since I was little," she circled her arms around his neck and stared into his face. "Thanks Piccolo, I never knew you could be so much fun."
He smiled back and wrapped his own arms around her waist. They looked up at each other. Andrea slowly stopped laughing and Piccolo's grin started to falter. They both gazed at each other and the light mood dissipated. Their childlike abandon vanished and a sudden sense of seriousness took its place.
The air around them grew thick and the space between them exploded with intensity. Andrea curled her fingers around the base of his neck and Piccolo tightened his hold on her. The sky fell away and they knew only the existence of each other. The moment froze, but Piccolo and Andrea continued moving in their own world. They each leaned closer, closing their eyes and tilting their faces forward. Their fervor spread and was kept fueled by longing. Their foreheads touched and an understanding passed between them.
An inch from their goal they each stopped. Andrea opened her eyes and Piccolo followed her example. Realization took hold and reality showed them where they were and who they were holding. The tension shattered and the two people disengaged. Piccolo hastily retreated his arms and Andrea pulled her hands down at her sides. They glanced at each other and started to speak.
"Um, look, I'm really sorry..."
"I totally forgot myself..."
They looked at each other nervously and wondered what they should do now.
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~A/N: Bwahaha! I leave you all with the evilest cliffhanger I could think of!~
PART 4 - WAKING UP
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The Next Morning
Andrea opened her eyes groggily and waited for her vision to come back into focus. She looked around and found herself in a strange bed in some else's home. Memories of the night before flooded back and she rubbed her arms, trying to reassure herself that she was still alive. Piccolo saved me, she thought. If he hadn't been there, I would have drowned. The somber thought made her wonder where her rescuer was. She pushed the fur blankets off and the air assaulted her bare skin. She shivered and put her feet over the side of the bed.
She heard a grunt come from the floor and her toes met with a sleeping form. Andrea peered down and saw Piccolo rub the sleep from his eyes. He sat up and saw that she was awake. The cold slithered towards her and she felt drafts charge up her body. Suddenly she looked down at herself and realized she was naked. Embarrassed, Andrea quickly pulled the covers up around her chest and looked over at the Namek, wanting an explanation. He cocked his head and pretended he didn't know what she meant.
"Piccolo...why am I not wearing any clothes?" she asked, indignation filling her voice. Suspicion crept onto her face and she wondered how much she could trust this man.
He saw the expression on her face and it was his turn to get angry. "I'm offended that you would even think of me taking advantage of you or acting in that way. You were bordering on the brink of hypothermia Andrea! I know your modesty is such a large price to pay for your life, but I figured you'd thank me later," he said sarcastically. "Would you rather have frozen to death, because I could have just as well left you there for all the gratitude you're showing," he turned away coolly and got up to leave.
"No wait!" Andrea bowed her head. "I'm sorry Piccolo. I should have thanked you for saving my life. Don't take my question as an insult, I almost died and I'm a little uneasy. That was wrong of me, I owe you and I'm sorry for jumping to a conclusion," she raised her head.
Andrea bit her lower lip. "Look," she said, staring over at him. "I don't want to fight with you anymore, I should stop getting mad at you every time you save my life," she smiled sheepishly. "Can we have a truce, ...please? All I want to do is get along."
For an instant an emotion registered on his face, but it was quickly shot down and wiped away. Piccolo gave a half smile. "I wasn't aware that we argued. If you can't take the way I treat you now, wait till you get on my bad side," he chuckled. "You should see how 'nice' I am to my enemies. Try to keep away from water for awhile, at least until you know how to swim. Next time, there won't be someone there to save you."
Andrea was about to protest when he pointed to a rack in the corner. "Your clothes are drying over there. I can't say your stay has been pleasant and I'm sorry for being unsociable but I think you can find your own way out." He nodded to the door and stepped into another room.
I tried to be nice to the man but not even a near death experience can do it for me. Andrea shook her head and stood up.
"You know what?" She called, "If it hadn't been for you I wouldn't have even fallen. You were the one who broke my concentration. Next time I fly, I'll make sure you're nowhere near me!" Still holding the covers around her she stalked towards her clothes and began putting them on.
That man makes me so mad! Piccolo really knows how to push my buttons and he definitely rubs me the wrong way. Andrea pulled angrily at her pant leg thinking of Piccolo and practically snarled as she snapped on her bra.
A few minutes later, Piccolo heard her slam the door and he walked back into the room. He picked up his bed furs that Andrea had left on the ground and went to go put them back. Piccolo noticed something odd about them but couldn't put his finger on it. He laid them down and sat on the edge of his straw pallet. He could still feel the warmth from where she had been sleeping and he stretched out on the bed frame. He closed his eyes and knew what was different. The blankets and bed felt like a woman had been there, he groaned.
Piccolo had devoted his entire life to first conquest and then to fighting. He had never had anything outside those primary goals and was unfamiliar to say the least in people skills, particularly those pertaining to the opposite sex.
Andrea was right when she had said he didn't know how to act around women.
And that's the only one I'm giving her credit for, that woman is wrong about everything else, he told himself. I'm not attracted to her am I? Piccolo shook his head. No, of course not. Women are frivolous creatures who annoy me with their nagging presence, especially that one. Her warmth began to dissipate from the pallet and he turned over and pressed his face into the bed. He could still smell where she had slept, a sweet mixture that left him with a disturbing sense of longing. Piccolo grunted and got up. I think I'll take a walk, he decided. It's a little hot in here.
-------
Andrea rushed through the forest, anger and frustration fueling her steps. She pushed leaves aside and ducked under branches, her mind elsewhere. Her thoughts flowed with mixed emotions towards the confusing Namek. She hated his apparent arrogance and the extremist disposition he took towards her, but she was really sick of fighting with him. He could be a little nicer at least, she grumbled. All I'm trying to do is learn to fly; it's not like there's a law-forbidding women against it. But Piccolo acts like I'm doing something taboo, or 'going against my nature'. He doesn't even know the first thing about... Andrea's reflections became jumbled with irritation and she tried sorting through them.
After a minute she thought along the same course and got back on track. And he always has to be right, his mistaken ideas really grate on my nerves. There has never been a man who bothers me as much as that one. I've used more patience refraining from slapping him than I've ever needed for anyone else. Why do I let it get to me, can't I just ignore him?
It's the way he is but I don't understand why he always has to act unfeeling and aloof. Piccolo could make a lot more friends if he just didn't see everyone he first meets as an opponent. This Namek is like a case I have to work on. I'll make him open up and show me what he keeps bottled inside that head of his. He makes everything so hard for himself. Piccolo acts like if it isn't unrelenting and harsh than it isn't really worth winning. He purposely pushes me away.
When I offered him my friendship he turned it down. Does he really hate me that much? Andrea frowned and knitted her brows together. She was preoccupied and didn't notice the object of her musings flying above her.
--------
Piccolo looked down and groaned. Andrea ran below him, her head bent and her arms swinging. Why should it bother me that she's down there, he said to himself, she's just a woman. Exactly, he answered, and you know nothing about the lot of them.
Without even thinking he flew down and stopped right in front of her.
Engrossed in her thoughts Andrea suddenly ran into a solid wall. "What the...?" she said as she started to fall.
Piccolo reached over and grabbed her arm before she stumbled to the ground.
Andrea looked up and her eyes met with a pair of dark ones, attached to a familiar green face. "Piccolo, where did you come from?" she asked, surprised.
"Oh... well, I didn't think about it, but we're too far from civilization for you to walk back on your own," he shrugged his shoulders and continued, making up his excuse on the spot. "I'll have to fly you back or it'll take you days to get back to the city," And then, as an idea emerged, he changed his mind and tilted his head. "Actually Andrea, you're going to get back on your own."
"What! You're leaving me! Again?! Oh no you don't. If we're out in the middle of nowhere, you're bringing me home!" She seized his arm and held it firmly. Andrea gave him a stubborn look and frowned. "I'm not going to let you abandon me again."
He easily took away her hand. "No, no, you're going to fly yourself home."
On hearing his words her face quickly turned to panic. Piccolo saw her expression change and taking her shoulders he shook her roughly. "You're not going to wimp out on me, I'll be next to you in case you fall. Although... you know just how much I like doing that Andrea," he stared at her pointedly and she lifted her chin. She remembered; his insult about overestimating her still stung. I'll show him, she thought.
"Flying is fine with me," she said bravely.
"Good," he let go of her.
Andrea followed him and they walked to a break in the trees. He surveyed the area, and satisfied, Piccolo looked up, taking a deep breath. He turned to her and nodded. Andrea followed his example, inhaling deeply and slowly letting the air out.
This is it she thought. Somehow she knew it, she was going to fly this time or never try again. Andrea squared her shoulders, spreading her legs apart and pushing her heels against the ground. She eased her breathing and thought of nothing except her goal, to reach the sky. Piccolo reached over and took her hand. Andrea gave it a nervous squeeze and was surprised when the action was returned as reassurance. She opened her eyes and looked over at him. Piccolo stared straight ahead.
"Andrea, concentrate, remember what you're doing."
"Right," she nodded; a stubborn expression set on her face.
"You've done this enough by now, you should be an old pro," he gave a half smile. "This time don't just imagine yourself trying to fly, see yourself doing it, and know that you're a master in the air. Give yourself that sense of confidence and just lift off like its second nature."
She turned her head to one side and grinned, "Ok then, I'm ready. Let's go." Andrea didn't think, she acted as if she were putting one foot in front of the other. It was an involuntary action; suddenly she just rose off the ground. She opened her eyes and glanced nervously over at Piccolo.
"Remember Andrea, you're the master," he said meeting her look.
Yeah, he's right, she told herself. Technically Andy, you've already flown by yourself twice. And before you crashed you were doing rather well, she thought. Just do it girl, he's right here and everything's fine. Go on, get up there, you're already know how. Andrea relaxed. She went higher and breathed deeply.
"Look at me Piccolo." She whispered excitedly. "I'm levitating." Andrea smiled proudly. "I'm controlling my ki."
He nodded and watched as she grew more comfortable in the air by the minute.
Wonder filled her face and she looked over at him with sheer delight. Her fear fell away and with Piccolo beside her, she achieved a new confidence.
"Watch this." Andrea gained boldness and she winked at Piccolo. He shifted his gaze uncomfortably and she suddenly had a devious idea. Andrea smiled devilishly and the Namek wondered what he'd gotten himself into, teaching her to fly.
"We've gotta test my new skills right Piccolo? Make sure they work?" Andrea's grin grew. "Better hold on, I'm gonna take you for one wild ride!" Andrea wrapped her fingers through his and swiftly shot upward.
They burst out from the trees and she did a 360 circle in mid air. Andrea zigzagged, with her cargo still in tow and laughed loudly. She felt in complete authority, no iffy headwinds throwing her off. A steady breeze blew but it didn't bother her at all. Maybe it was the Namek's reassuring presence, or it could have been that she had always known she could do it, she just needed someone like Piccolo to tell her so.
Whatever helped her stay up she didn't care. Andrea felt independence course threw her and she was overcome with a sense of self-accomplishment. "I can do it!" She cried, beaming. The sky was her palace and she was it's princess. Andrea whirled through her imaginary castle and never remembered ever being so free and happy. Her eyes sparkled with joy and her cheeks flushed with triumph.
"Piccolo, I can't see how you ever manage to suppress a smile when you're up here. This is great!" Bringing him to her side, she drove higher and then suddenly rocketed downward.
"Andrea! What are you...?" Piccolo started, but his voice was pushed from his lungs as they went down faster.
She pulled up out of the nosedive with exact control and grinned again. "This is so perfect Piccolo, I could spend forever up here!" Andrea zipped around, speeding up and making sharp turns. She whizzed past a flock of geese and laughed when they honked loudly at them.
"Guess they don't like the company," she said, looking back at Piccolo with a glowing smile. She let go of his hand and twirled around. The feeling of flying and knowing she could be up here and stay in charge was intoxicating. Andrea felt giddy and content, her previous frustration and dejection at not being able to get airborne was entirely forgotten. She soared higher and gaining speed went right through a low floating cloud.
"This is absolutely wonderful!" She said, coming out the other side. Andrea slowed and came up beside Piccolo. "Thank you for helping me to get up here. Now I owe you even more." She stopped and gave him a big hug.
He looked down at her and couldn't help but grudgingly feel some of her exuberance rub off on him. She's gotten so excited, over flying? It's useful yes, but why is she taking such pleasure from this daily activity, he wondered. When he first learned the trait, Piccolo never remembered ever being so exhilarated.
His thoughts wavered from her enthusiasm to the realization that she was holding him. Having her arms around him sent strange signals throughout his body and when she removed her hands, his shoulders burned from her touch. That stirring Piccolo felt when he had rescued her from the lake returned. It filled him with warmth towards the woman and though puzzling, it was a comforting presence. He was unexpectedly filled with a youthful mirth that he'd never felt before. I might as well have a little fun now, he thought. Pay her back for dragging me through those geese. Piccolo's eyes twinkled mysteriously and suddenly he vanished.
Andrea looked around gleefully and decided to play along. "You can't hide from me, I'll find you Piccolo." She raced off, ducking under tall trees and soaring upwards, forwards and downwards. Andrea peeked behind clouds and spun in circles.
Finally she spotted him, floating just above the forest line. Andrea flew around the side, brushing just above the treetops. She came up right behind Piccolo and was about tap his shoulder when he turned around and grabbed her first. He put his hands on her waist and lifted her above his head.
"Got ya! I could hear you a mile away Andrea!" he smiled. "I win."
"Oh no you don't," she countered mischievously and slipped out of his grasp. Laughing, she rose above his head. "Catch me if you can," she giggled.
"This chase will be over very quickly," he said and followed after her.
They zoomed together, Andrea throwing him off by turns and using clouds as camouflage. Piccolo always was a pace behind her, but soon he matched her move for move.
What am I doing? He wondered to himself. I never act like this. Piccolo saw Andrea turn and give him a flirty wink. The stirring came back full force and his chest started to ache. What is it? He asked his heart.
Andrea glanced behind her and saw the Namek gaining. She turned forward and suddenly crashed into him. Piccolo put his arms around her and pinned her up against him.
"You're not getting away this time," he said.
Andrea gave a halfhearted struggle and pretended to pout. "No fair, you can't cheat like that."
"I just did," he grinned. "What are you going to do about it."
"Well... I'm just gonna have to... escape again," she pushed away from him and wriggled out of his hold. Before she started racing though, Piccolo caught her arm and threw her over his shoulder.
"There," he said resolutely. "Now you can't go anywhere."
Andrea kicked out her legs and doubled over in laughter. "Put me down you big lug," she playfully swatted his back.
"Never!" he replied and wrapped his arms around her legs.
"Piccolo, I'm a big girl you can trust me," Andrea said, trying to keep a straight face.
"Humph. I'm not taking any chances," Piccolo hefted her up higher and tightened his hold on her legs, still playing along.
She giggled some more and dried her tears on his shoulder. "I won't fly anywhere. You can let me go."
"Hope I can really trust you," he poked her gently. Pretending to be wary, Piccolo set her down in front of him. She threw her arms around him and continued laughing.
"That was great! I haven't had such a good time since I was little," she circled her arms around his neck and stared into his face. "Thanks Piccolo, I never knew you could be so much fun."
He smiled back and wrapped his own arms around her waist. They looked up at each other. Andrea slowly stopped laughing and Piccolo's grin started to falter. They both gazed at each other and the light mood dissipated. Their childlike abandon vanished and a sudden sense of seriousness took its place.
The air around them grew thick and the space between them exploded with intensity. Andrea curled her fingers around the base of his neck and Piccolo tightened his hold on her. The sky fell away and they knew only the existence of each other. The moment froze, but Piccolo and Andrea continued moving in their own world. They each leaned closer, closing their eyes and tilting their faces forward. Their fervor spread and was kept fueled by longing. Their foreheads touched and an understanding passed between them.
An inch from their goal they each stopped. Andrea opened her eyes and Piccolo followed her example. Realization took hold and reality showed them where they were and who they were holding. The tension shattered and the two people disengaged. Piccolo hastily retreated his arms and Andrea pulled her hands down at her sides. They glanced at each other and started to speak.
"Um, look, I'm really sorry..."
"I totally forgot myself..."
They looked at each other nervously and wondered what they should do now.
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~A/N: Bwahaha! I leave you all with the evilest cliffhanger I could think of!~