Lucy
Chapter Thirteen
Well
Biggs hadn't moved from Lucy's side in thirty-six hours. She'd hardly changed positions since he'd wrapped her up in a woolen blanket from Max's old bed. She stayed curled in a fetal position, eyes tightly shut, breathing shallow. All the same, color was appearing faintly in her cheeks. That was a great sign. At least, he hoped it was. Biggs clasped Lucy's hand, just needing the reassurance that she hadn't disappeared, like everything else in his life. Original Cindy was out at Crash with Sketchy after they'd decided she needed to keep up appearances in case White had her under surveillance. Biggs didn't mind having the apartment to himself, at least kind of to himself. When he saw Lucy stir, he began to wonder if his eyes were playing tricks on him. He hadn't slept for nearly forty-eight hours. Her movement had been slight and it was possible that he'd been staring at her for so long that he'd made her move. As he debated the possibilities, Lucy's eyes fluttered open, blue orbs staring at his face.
"Lucy!" He wanted to say so much more, but he couldn't bring himself to. It all seemed so clichéd. She seemed to be a bit disoriented, which Riles had told him to expect.
"Biggs? Where am I?"
"You're at Original Cindy's. She used to be Max's roommate. You collapsed from too much exposure to Terminal City. We moved you back out into Seattle."
"And you're still here?"
"You thought I'd let you be here alone while you were unconscious?"
"It's not like I'd know the difference." A small, weak smile appeared on Lucy's lips. She said it quietly, but a twinge of happiness resounded in her voice. Biggs brought his hand up to brush away Lucy's blond tresses. She tilted her head, allowing herself to feel his intense touch and feelings. His face was so kind and earnest; she had a hard time resisting. Worry lines creased his forehead, but on him, they were cute. Lucy raised her arm slowly and Biggs moved, ready to jump up and retrieve whatever she might need. Little did he know, he was what she needed. He was surprised when Lucy's fingers glided over his forehead and down his cheek.
"How are you feeling?"
Lucy coughed lightly, yet it seemed to drain all of her energy to do that.
"A little better. I don't know how I got here, but I'm feeling a little better. Really. I'm okay, Biggs."
She didn't want him to worry, not anymore. She had a sinking feeling he'd worried a lot in his life. She blinked a couple of times, trying to focus her attention on the transgenic.
"Riles said you'd pull through this if we got you out of the City, so here you are. Alec, Max and I smuggled you out."
Lucy nodded, her pale skin almost blending in with the white pillowcase.
"You scared me, Lucy. I thought I was going to lose use."
"After everything I've been through, you thought a little disease would kill me off?"
"What have you been through, Lucy?"
Lucy's blanched visibly, every bit of liveliness gone.
"I really don't want to talk about it. I don't think I can. I don't think I every will. I don't have the energy to tell you. It's not that I don't trust you, Biggs. I do. So much so. I just don't know how to explain it. I'm not afraid when I'm with you."
Biggs squeezed her hand. "I wish you could talk about it. It might help."
"I'd just be reliving it all. I don't want to. You've done things that you don't want to tell me about. Let's just agree not to talk about our past unless we want to."
Biggs nodded in agreement. "All right. Lucy, I need to tell you this. In my whole life, I've never met anyone like you. You're so special, so beautiful, so perfect to me. I've never felt like this before. Love was frowned upon in Manticore. Any kind of bond was, actually. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say or do. I just, I think I'm in love with you."
A wide grin spread across Lucy's face, a light flashing over her features. He'd never seen her look so content. Even ill, her contentment shone through. She didn't know what she should say. She felt almost relieved that Biggs loved her. She'd never been in love before, either. She'd stayed withdrawn from everyone. The older she'd gotten, the more wrong her life had seemed. She'd always been terrified of someone finding out her secret. She didn't know what it was like to have someone truly love her. Was she supposed to say it back? Biggs' face fell with every second that passed after his declaration.
"I love you, too, Biggs."
She watched him lean forward and as if in slow motion, he lightly kissed her mouth. It was so sweet and gentle. The kiss sent tingles and shivers alternately down her body. She'd never felt a sensation like it. Biggs pulled away, not wanting to exhaust her.
"Sleep now, Lucy. I'll still be here when you wake up."
Lucy surrendered to the slumber that had been tickling at her. She could sleep dreamlessly now with Biggs standing watch. She finally found someone who understood her and respected her. Maybe she deserved him. She'd find out. The two let the warmth and pleasure wash over them, both feeling like they'd found their places. It felt wonderful.
Thank you all so much for reading this story. I'm glad that you all enjoyed the journey into Max and Lucy's past. I appreciate each and every review I got. You all rock!