Stormy slowly opened her eyes and saw the moonlight streaming in through the front window and smiled loving the misty dream like affect it always cause. Her mind jumped remembering what had happened earlier and wondering where he'd gone. She noticed that he'd taken the throw cover she kept on the back of the chair and neatly tucked it up around her shoulders.
Stormy lay debating her feelings not sure of how she should act toward him now. They had officially met not more than a few hours ago and now she knew so many intimate and personal things about him. Sharing all he 'd been through along with all the wonderful things that made up this fascination man from a distant star she couldn't help but feel a special closeness to him. She knew getting close was something that actually frightened him not because he didn't want to, but because of so many people that had been lost to him. So now how would he react to her now?
" I got to work fixin' my bike, so I could get outta your hair as soon as I could." Throttle said standing in the kitchen doorway wiping his oily hands on a rag.
Her eyes were focused out of the window so his words got no response. He smiled and walked closer and his movements made her turn to look at him. She reached up behind her to turn on the brass floor lamp hanging over where she lay.
"I guess you were working on your bike, were you able to fix her?" Stormy leaned back and pulled her feet up making room for him to sit down.
"Yeah, she's all fix and purrin' like a kitten," he sat down.
"Oh, so I guess that means you'll be leaving?" she said trying not to show how much she wanted him to stay.
"Well, I've imposed enough on your kindness. I don't want to over stay my welcome"
"You're not imposing, in fact it was the nicest time I have had in so long. I mean you normally stay out there a few days and it's been really nice having someone who I can talk to and doesn't walk off in a frustrated huff. You don't have to leave unless you want to." She had to look down because she could feel her cheek warming up, showing the bright blush that she could never hide.
He chuckled lightly at her wonderful refreshing shyness and reached over to again lift her chin making her look at him, " No, I don't want to leave, being here has been great for me too. I'd really like to get to know more about you especially now that you know so much about me."
"Yes, I guess I do. Throttle, you don't have to worry, I'd never tell anyone the things I know. It's like I've been given a very precious gift and I'll keep it safe forever." She took hold of his hand.
He lightly rubbed his thumb across her small delicate hand, "Thanks, it's nice to have somebody I can trust with those secrets.
Well then you'll stay. Let me get up and fix you up somewhere to sleep, is the garage okay? I don't have a guest room."
"Sure, it will be fine, but you don't have to do anything special I have my sleeping gear and I can bunk on the floor."
"I don't think so, no guest of mine is going to sleep on the cold damp floor. It will only take a couple of minutes to put something comfortable together. I have extra towels in the linen closet next to the bathroom just down that hall. You go clean up while I get things ready." Stormy pointed him in the right direction and went out into the garage to pull out the folding cot that was stored in the corner. It was dustier than she thought so she unfolded it grabbed a cloth and gave it a nice cleaning.
She went back into the house and into her bedroom and got some sheets, a warm downy comforter and two of the pillows from her bed. She glanced at the bathroom door hearing the shower running and hurried to make sure everything was ready for him when he had finished. When she'd put it all together it looked very cozy and the last touch was a large basket covered with a small blanket where she had place a lamp and gone into the kitchen and retrieve a plate of cookies and glass of milk.
Throttle walked out in his bare feet, jeans and towel wrapped around his neck and over his shoulders. His other wearing apparel was draped over his arm and he carried his boots, "Man, this looks very comfortable, Stormy thanks."
She turned to see he'd said something, but was too embarrassed to ask him to repeat it.
He smiled and stepped up closer too her and reached down to kiss her sweetly on the cheek, then looked her right in the eyes, "I said, it looks very comfortable and thanks."
Her hand touched where his kiss still tingled her cheek and her eyes looked to the floor, "Your welcome sleep well, I'll see you in the morning, Goodnight." She dared to give him a quick glance before hurrying back into the house and into her own bedroom.
The next few days were spent watching the sunrise, walking through the beautiful woods and Stormy enjoyed having someone to talk to who was so patient and kind. Who really wanted to hear everything she had to say. It was as if they had been friends for years and she felt safe with telling him all her deepest feelings.
Throttle, for the first time in his life, didn't need to put on the macho, I have all the answers facade', that he wore most of the time. He could enjoy this secret paradise and relish in the warm glow that Stormy enclosed him in. She was all the things his life was missing, gentleness, serenity, and a joy for living he long thought he'd forgotten.
Those few precious days past much too quickly and Throttle was standing in the garage packing up his gear getting ready to leave. Stormy was in the kitchen fixing him a tin of the macadamia fudge cookies he like so much. She smiled as she placed the hand-painted lid on the top and hoped it would remind him of her when he looked at it.
She took a deep breath and walked out to wait in front until he came out of the garage. The sound of his bike starting up made her throat tighten a little but she promised no tears. Besides the city wasn't too far away and they would keep in touch with e-mail and phone calls.
Throttle came out and stopped right in front of Stormy not having put on his helmet, yet. "Well I guess it's back to saving the universe." he joked dryly fiddling with his helmet.
"Yes, I guess so. I fixed this for you, just a little don't forget me something. Its got lots of cookies inside you can share them with your friends when you get back to the city." Stormy handed him the tin and he took it securing it in the pack strapped to the back of his bike.
"Oh no, these are all mine, some things are to good to be shared. Thanks Stormy, this has been the best time I've ever spent with any one. You are a very special and wonderful young woman. Would you mind if … if I came back next time I'm in the area."
Stormy smiled brightly, "I was hoping you would, you are welcome here anytime and your friends too, if you want to bring them.
His hand touched her cheek; "I'll never look at a storm in the same way after knowing you."
She placed her hand on top of his, "and looking at the stars will mean so much more now."
They stayed like that for a second and made a slight move toward taking it further but stopped not sure of how the other would react. Stormy hunched her shoulders and smiled her sweet shy smile stepping back. Throttle put his helmet on and gave her one more wave and started up his bike and head out on the path that would take him to the road back to Chicago. He looked in his rear view mirror and as her image got smaller and smaller he stopped abruptly, thought a minute then took off his helmet, "I'll be right back darlin', there's something important I forgot." The bike acknowledged and kept her motor running.
Stormy looked puzzled wondering why Throttle was walking back toward her. His stride was very determined and she couldn't imagine what he was doing. The focused Martian walked right up to her and taking off his shades wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. Stormy was surprised but didn't stop him and after a second, when the shock wore off, she put her arms around his neck and returns the kiss warmly. A few indescribably glorious moments later he released her and looked into her gentle blue eyes and she gazed dreamily into his garnet red ones, "I'll definitely be back." He said in a loving whisper.
She didn't actually hear him, but her heart knew what he'd said, "I'll definitely be here."
He nodded and ran back to his bike popping the helmet on and gunning the engine standing the machine up on it's back wheels turning back to wave a finally good-bye. Stormy waved happily and watched until he was out of site. She hummed a nice little melody as she blissfully walked back into the house and closed the door.
The end of their beginning.
