Author: Synthera
Story: The Pair
Chapter 20: Playin' in the Rain
Disclaimer: Don't own them but if James Cameron and Fox won't put them to good use maybe they would consider giving them to me...
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Vin was out of the shower quickly and headed to Lexa's room to check on her. It appeared she was dreaming something bad again because she was curled into a ball on her left side and was calling out for Alec. Vin pushed her hair out of her face and kissed her on the cheek. "It's okay little sister. He's fine." this quieted her some but he could tell she was still upset.
When they had first escaped, she had such a hard time sleeping that one of the foster mothers had taken her to see a psychiatrist. He had tried giving her sleeping pills and the first time she had taken one it had reacted badly with her body chemistry. They found that particular pill made her sleep for eighteen hours. Vin had been so worried, moments before she woke up he had been about to tell the doctor about her unique genetic makeup.
She had confessed to him that most of her nightmares were about what had happened to Alec when they left. He had also had similar dreams but had decided not to share them with her. He was supposed to be the one she went to for protection and he didn't want to let her down even at that young age.
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Alec turned the water on as hot as it would go and removed his clothes. Stepping in he let the water cascade over him and he put his hands on the wall in front of him. His mind wandered as his body relaxed. All of the night's tension finally eased from him slowly. He realized how on edge he had been ever since Lexa had been taken.
'Funny, I never really thought about having a relationship. After Rachel I didn't think I would ever be capable of one. Now that Lexa's back I want to see where this goes. But does she?' he thought to himself.
It had hurt him a lot when he had tried to explain about the other girl at the club and she had not let him. He needed to make amends and she didn't want to hear it. The more he thought about it the more it made him worry that she would keep pushing him away.
The water started to run cold so he turned it off. Drying of and dressing he started thinking about all of what Lexa had been through the last few days. When he thought about the X5 he had seen on the ground with his neck broken his first assumption had been that it was Max but seeing the look in Lexa's eyes and later the bruises on her body he had realized that it had to have been her.
He worried about how it would affect her later on. He didn't care who it was she went to about it he just hoped she got some help before it started tearing her up inside. He wanted to be the one she went to but he had a feeling that it wouldn't be him.
He opened the bathroom door he walked into the hall. A cloud of steam billowed out after him. Max who had been walking his way waved a hand in front of her face and asked "Don't suppose you left some water for me?"
He felt his face go hot as he said "Uh, sorry Max. I started thinking and kind of lost track of time."
"Great. Well, I guess that I will take a quick cold shower and sleep. So do I get the couch?"
Feeling bad about taking all the water he said "Sure."
Max went into the bathroom and Alec went into the bedroom to check on Lexa. He found Vin sitting on the edge of the bed apparently waiting for him. "What's up?"
Vin motioned for him to follow into the living room. Once there he said "I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Okay.."
"She isn't sleeping well. She keeps having nightmares."
"So I noticed." Alec said with a wry grin.
Vin, who hadn't smiled continued "Lexa only seems to sleep well when you are near her. After all she has been through she still worries about you."
"What are you getting at?"
"I want you to stay in there with her. If she doesn't sleep well she will never get better."
"Okay. But hasn't she been sleeping a lot already?"
"When she had this much adrenaline rush and then relaxes all of a sudden, it seems to, I don't know make her crash. She will sleep for a long time and then wake up ready to go and hyper. She will have to work off the excess energy and then will be fine."
They were quiet for a moment and the Alec broke the silence "Do you think she will let me explain what happened?"
"I think in time."
Alec nodded "I'm going to go lay down."
They went into the bedroom. Alec lay down by Lexa. Vin could see her relax as if she knew he was there. Instinctively she moved closer to Alec. Vin smiled, happy to see her this relaxed. Years seemed to melt from her face.
Vin grabbed a blanket from the foot of the bed and a pillow. He lay down and soon fell asleep to the sound of their rhythmic breathing.
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Sometime while they were sleeping Lexa had shifted closer to Alec and wrapped her arms around him and buried her face against his back. Alec opened one eye and looked at the clock across the room.
'Twelve-thirty. Ugh we've slept so long' Alec thought to himself. Then Lexa shifted and he realized just how close she was to him and that she had one arm around his waist and the other was under his neck with her hand on his chest over his heart.
He tried to catch his breath and then lower parts of his body woke up to the fact that Lexa was this close to him. He tried to think about something, anything else but then Lexa's hand started playing with the string on the waistband of the athletic shorts he was wearing. He couldn't take it in this state of mind. He grabbed her hand and held it firmly.
Lexa woke with a start yanking her hand out of his and scooting away from him. Her eyes were a touch wide as Alec turned over to face her.
"Shh. It's just me. Good morning. How are you feeling?"
"Okay I guess. Where are we?"
"Logan's cabin about an hour out of Seattle."
"When can we go back?"
Alec's heart sank a little. He was hoping that she would have wanted to stay with him here just a bit longer. "We have to wait for Logan to get here with Sector passes for all of us."
"Oh."
"Look Lexa, about that night.." Alec started to say and Lexa tried to get up. He grabbed her arm.
"Please. I need to say this." she laid back down.
"That night they took you I know you saw that girl, Angie and probably heard what she said. I also knew you were upset before then but I don't know why."
She looked at the bedspread before she answered him. "This girl was at the bar when I went to get another pitcher. She wanted me to tell you that if you wanted another night like the last one with her to come by."
He blanched. He had been with a lot of girls before she had come back. He had wanted to tell her himself but she had it thrown in her face by some random female. Inwardly he groaned. Then he flashed on her rushing to the bathroom in Crash, he knew he had seen tears on her face. But that would mean...she was jealous? hurt?
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I had no right to be upset." She looked at him with a blank expression. Inside though she could still feel the sting of the girl's words.
"I admit that before you guys got here I uh, saw a lot of women. But I haven't been out with anyone else since you two arrived."
"Like I said I have no right to be mad."
He took a deep breath and said "Do you want one?"
"What?"
"Do you want a reason?"
"What the hell do you mean by that?"
He put one hand to the side of her face. "I want be with you."
"Are you sure?"
"You. Only you." They stared into each other's eyes for a moment and then as Alec leaned down to kiss her she put a hand to his chest.
"Stop. I need some time right now Alec. There are...things. And I can't do this, this soon. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I can wait. I want you to know that I will be there for you if you need anything." He felt stung and his first reaction was to bail. He started to slide from bed. She grabbed his wrist and said "Please don't leave. Don't leave me."
His face softened and he slid back down. "I won't leave." Staring at her his mind started forming a plan. He was going to help her and win her over at the same time. Starting the minute they got back to Seattle.
Suddenly Lexa raised up and looked over Alec's shoulder and out the window. "It's raining!"
He rolled over and looked also. "Yeah?"
She jumped up out of bed and pulled on his hands. "Come on!" Then she shook Vin. He rolled over grumbling. "Get up. Let's go play in the rain!" Without waiting for a reply she dashed out of the room. The two left behind heard the door to the cabin slam.
"Why not?" Vin said. They followed and found her standing outside.
"Come catch me!" she said smiling. She darted into the woods before either guy could say a word. Stunned they stared at each other.
Alec had expected a little energy but what she was exhibiting was beyond what he thought would happen.
"Lex this is NOT funny!" Vin said.
"Come back here Lexa!" Alec shouted.
When she didn't reappear they headed in after her.
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Lexa ran relishing the feel of the wind in her hair and the rain on her face. Her clothes were already soaked through but she didn't care. For the first time in days she felt free. Hearing footsteps behind her she realized that the boys were not too far behind her.
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The moment they had went in after her it was like old times. They went into soldier mode without even realizing it. They caught a glimpse of Lexa ahead of them and turning to Vin, Alec signed ~I got left you have right.~
Vin nodded and they split up. Pouring on a burst of speed Alec cut in ahead of her and she ran right into him. She tried to dance away but found Vin there cutting off her mode of escape. Bumping in to him she winced and held her side. She bent over gasping for breath.
"Shit Lex, I'm sorry." Vin said and leaned over her. Alec squatted down so he could access the damage.
Vin had put his hands on Lexa's shoulders not thinking of how she would take it given her recent experience.
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The moment Vin had leaned over her Lexa had started to panic. Intellectually she knew that she was safe, that it was Alec and Vin, two men who cared about her. But she was thrown back to the helplessness of being attacked by 924 all over again.
With an animalistic scream she threw an elbow into Vin's unprotected ribs. Then turning in a crouch she swept his legs out from under him. Breaking free of Alec who had tried to restrain her so she could do no further damage to him she ran as hard and fast as she could.
'never again, never again,' she chanted inside her head as she ran.
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'What the fuck is going on?' was the first thought that went through Alec's head as she screamed. He realized that she felt threatened when she tried to break free. When she knocked Vin to the ground he had grabbed her arms so he could yank her away and not hurt him further but she broke his hold and ran.
He started to help Vin up and his shook his head "Go after her. Help her." he gasped.
Alec nodded his head and once again chased after her.
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Lexa could hear his footsteps pounding after her. Sheer terror sliced through her. She tripped on a root and fell to the ground. Alec who couldn't stop in time fell on top of her. She beat at his chest with her hands. She was so upset she didn't even think of using any of her training or superior strength.
Alec grabbed her wrists and held them over her head. "Lexa! Lexa! It's me! It's Alec!" he shouted at her.
She slowly stopped struggling but sobs wracked her body.
"Oh god Alec. Oh god. I'm sorry. I can still feel him. He's all over me. Make it go away."
"Shh. I'm here. Just me." He sat up pulling her into his arms. He rocked her back and forth.
When she stopped crying she looked into his eyes. Then grabbing the back of his head she pulled him down to her and kissed him. He pulled back "Lexa.."
"Alec, just kiss me and make me forget. Wipe him away."
He kissed her gently pulling back slightly when she tried to increase the pressure. "I want you to know that you special to me Lexa. Let me show you."
He leaned in again ever so slowly and ran his tongue along her lower lip, nipping gently at it. She tried to deepen the kiss but Alec moved from her lips to her neck. Gently he kissed the spot behind her ears. He hesitated when he saw the bruises once again, then as lightly as he could he placed delicate kisses along the finger imprints. Then he licked a slow, warm wet line from her collarbone back to the spot behind her ear.
Lexa shivered and drew in a deep breath. Alec gave a small smile against her neck, loving that he moved her that way. He kissed the other side of her neck, tantalizing her. She moaned his name.
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Vin came upon them quietly and saw Alec kissing her and knew they would be all right. He smiled and turned back heading for the cabin. Maybe Max was up and wanted some company.
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Alec leaned his forehead against Lexa's and said. "I'm cold and wet. Let's go back to the cabin."
Lexa pulled back and gave him a look that was hurt as well as puzzled. "You want to go back? I thought.."
A serious look came over his face. "I told you I care about you and I want the first time to be special, not in a haze of desperation. You deserve better than that."
Then he stood drawing her up with him. He put his arm around her waist and led her to the cabin.
"I think Vin likes Max." Lexa said.
"What? How can you tell?"
"Did you see the way that he looks at her?"
"No."
"Yep. Watch next time they are together."
"You really think so?"
"Yeah, I know him. I'm afraid he's going to end up hurt though."
Alec turned to her. "Logan."
"Mmhmm. But I think there is something going on with him and Asha."
"She's got something for him. But he never really sees it."
"Do you think something could happen while we are gone?"
"She might try something. Just depends on Logan realizing she is."
"If something does, it will kill Max."
"It would devastate her but she would get over it. She's strong."
"Yeah, but I would make sure Asha doesn't."
Alec gave her an amused glance. "You would beat her ass?"
"You know it. She's my sister and I stick by her. She wouldn't do it but I would."
Alec wisely dropped the subject.
They walked into the cabin to find Max and Vin sitting on the couch laughing and drinking beer. They looked up as Lexa and Alec walked in. Alec gave Lexa a knowing look not noticing that Vin and Max had shared one themselves.
Lexa apologized to Vin sheepishly. There was an awkward tension in the room and Max jumped up saying "How about we watch a movie until Logan gets here. He called while you were out "playing in the rain" he should be here later today."
It took twenty minutes to get everyone to agree on one movie. They ended up watching Soul Survivors. It had enough scary parts that Lexa practically ended up in Alec's lap while Max and Vin laughed. The ending surprised them all and Lexa exclaimed "I never would have guessed that!"
Lexa stood up and stretched. She tried to hide a yawn. Alec noticed and said "Why don't you sleep until Logan gets here? We'll wake you."
She tried to protest but Alec led her to the bedroom. He pulled back the covers and tucked her in. He laid a soft kiss on her forehead. "Alec?"
"Yes?"
"When we get back, what are we going to do?"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I want to be with you. But I'm scared. I know that I shouldn't be but I am."
"We'll just take it slow. One day at a time."
"One day at a time."
He stood and left her to sleep.