Warm. He was so warm. He? Cammy's eyes snapped open as sleep fell away like a crash of glass. She was left lying in bed with her heart pounding, a tanned arm flung across her stomach. Cammy stared up that arm and found Ken lying on his stomach, hair strewn over his face like a curtain. She hadn't closed the drapes completely after Ken had come in last night. Morning light fell into the room and spilled over her and Ken. She had never seen a man's body by morning light like this. Once with her father but of course that wasn't quite the same thing. She touched his arm lightly so that all she really touched was the small golden hairs, no skin. She drew her fingertips over the warmth of his skin. He was incredibly warm. She felt him wake, a tension in his shoulder and back that wasn't there before. She turned her head to find Ken's brown eyes staring at her through the thick curtain of hair. He rose on one elbow and smoothed his hair back from his face. He smiled; it was the same smile that had given her comfort a hundred times. He spoke.
" Good morning."
Smiling, Cammy said.
"Good morning."
He wiggled closer, which made the sheets slide down to reveal the smooth expanse of his chest. He kissed her, soft tender, not worrying about morning breath, then rubbed his face along her cheek, until his breathe was warm against her ear.
"You don't know how great I feel right now."
Ken lifted his head and answered.
"Probably about as great as I feel."
Cammy brought her hands to his face and looked into his eyes. She couldn't hold her smile. Suddenly there was a loud knocking at the bedroom door. Cammy was so startled that her body jumped from the bed, landing on the floor with a loud thud. Guile's voice spoke through the door as the knob rattled.
"Cammy? Are you awake? Why's the door locked?"
As Cammy struggled to her feet, Ken had to place his hands over his mouth to stop his laughter. She turned and smiled at him wide-eyed and placed one finger across her lips, signaling him to be quiet.
"I'm just getting dressed."
Cammy yelled, then she quietly spoke to Ken.
"Don't move. Guile would flip out if he found you in here with me."
Ken nodded in agreement and did as Cammy asked.
"Okay we're about to eat breakfast so hurry."
"Okay Guile."
She heard him descend the stairs and let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm so glad I locked the door. Well now I'd better hurry down to eat. Will you stay in here and wait on me?"
"On one condition."
"And what would that be?"
"Bring me some food. I'm HUNGRY!"
Cammy laughed softly as she hurried to change, facing the wall. Ken pretended not to see in order to save Cammy the embarrassment. She began to head toward the door.
"Cammy?"
"Ken, I promise to bring you food."
"No. It's just…well…I wanted…wanted to tell you...I-I love you."
Cammy stopped in her tracks. Surprised and touched by her words. She ran to the bed and cupped his face in her hands. She placed quick kisses all over his face and soon a long passionate one on his lips.
"I love you too."
She released him and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. She couldn't keep the smile off her face, at least that was until she came downstairs and saw Guile with Melissa. The two were wrestling much like her and her father used to do when she was Melissa's age. She could feel the jealousy creeping through her veins as she watched them together. The fact that Guile was letting her win; the fact that her dad used to do the same thing for her. When Cammy stopped where Guile's 'dead' body was lying, his eyes popped open.
"Oh! Hey. Finally ready? Let's go get breakfast."
He rolled over, catching Melissa off guard, and slung her over his shoulder as she giggled hysterically. Cammy followed sullenly and sat down to eat. After listening to their happy chitchat for ten minutes, Cammy couldn't stand it anymore and yelled.
"How can you be acting like this?!"
All conversation ceased. Guile spoke.
"Acting like what, Cammy?"
"Like nothing's wrong, for God's sake, he's not dead."
"Of course he isn't, but if we let that fact control every aspect of our lives, we let the bad guys win."
"So that's it, your just going to sit there twiddling your thumbs instead of doing something to help?"
Guile stood quickly, letting his chair hit the floor. Jane stood also, but only to lead Melissa out of the room.
"You actually think I don't want to help?! God dammit Cammy, you saw what happened when I tried to help before! And it has happened again every time I have gotten close to him."
"So you're giving up, just like that?"
"No, I am trying to appreciate what I have when I have it. That in no way means I have forgotten about Charlie. I will find a way to help him."
Cammy was silent for a moment before she spoke again in a calmer tone.
"Let me go see him."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"You can't keep me from seeing him."
"Yes I can. It hurts me like hell to say it, but he isn't safe right now. He could have hurt you a lot worse you know."
"I can't believe you're doing this!"
"I'm trying to make sure you stay safe Cammy."
"I don't care about that, I want to see him!"
Cammy was yelling now. Guile opened his mouth to respond but instead he stared past Cammy, anger filling his eyes even more so. Then Cammy heard Ken speak.
"Just let her see him."
Guile yelled.
"What the hell are you doing in my home?"
Ken calmly snapped back.
"You don't own her. She should be able to see him if she wants."
"That has nothing to do with how you got into this house!"
Cammy could feel the negative energy flying back and forth between the two. She spoke without thinking.
"Guile, Ken stayed in my room last night."
"WHAT?!"
Shit. Not the response she had planned on. How could she explain to him that nothing had happened? Cammy's eyes widened as she realized that she had painted herself into a corner. She quickly said.
"It's not what you're thinking."
Guile didn't hear her.
"You are to follow my rules while you stay here. Just because you are going through some tough times doesn't give you an excuse to act this way."
Ken steeped in, still angry.
"Then maybe she shouldn't live here."
"Oh, and where would she live? With you?"
"Hell yeah."
"And you would take real good care of her, huh?"
Ken didn't like Guile's sarcastic tone.
"I'd keep her safer than you could. I mean. After all, someone is out to kill you right?"
"She is as safe here as the rest of my family, and besides, I don't have to defend myself to some fucking kid."
"This 'fucking kid' saved your life, or so you so easily forget."
"Yeah, come to think of it, you did kind of show up right when all this trouble began."
"What the hell are you trying to say?"
"What's it sound like to you?"
"That I had something to do with what happened to Cammy's father? That's shit. I was right there with you. I nearly got the shit beaten out of me myself."
"Yeah, nearly."
"Cammy jumped in
"How dare you try and blame this on him. You're just trying to find someone to place the blame on."
"Like you did to me?"
"I said I was sorry for that. I was just upset."
"I'm not allowed to be upset? Cammy he's your father, but he's my brother in every way but blood."
Just then Jane walked in the room without Melissa.
"Everybody stop right now!"
Everyone did and looked at Jane who spoke again.
"This isn't the time for these kind of fights. Guile you need to go somewhere to cool off. Cammy you show him out the door right now."
Guile stormed into the back yard and Cammy stormed toward the front door. Ken looked at Jane and then looked down and went to where Cammy stood at the door.
"I'm sorry Cammy. I just heard what he was saying to you and couldn't help but come down."
"It's okay. I'm the one who said something stupid."
They both smiled. Cammy opened the front door and Ken stepped out. He turned and spoke.
"I'll see you tonight. Same place, same time."
"I don't think you should stay again. I'm sure Guile will be on patrol."
Ken leaned in to hug Cammy and whispered softly into her ear.
"Who said we're staying? We're going to see your father."
Comments appreciated =)