LIFE OR DEATH
Part 9: Baby, It's Cold Outside
Disclaimer: No, Jarod is not my slave. . .although. . .NO! Anywho, yadda yadda yadda, you know the spiel.
Author's Note: Hey all! Sorry for the long period of time in between updates. I got swamped with homework, and a nasty case of writer's block didn't help much either. In response to all the reviews I've received so far: thank you so much for reviewing. They really do make my day, whether bad or good. And I also thank you all for sending in constructive criticism, and not flames. To gemini006007: I know that the chapters are very short, but that was the format the original author chose to use. I just kind of fell into it, and now I'm not used to writing epics anymore. Hopefully, I'll be able to write more than just short bursts. So I think they might get longer soon. Well, I'm kind of stuck again. I only have a general idea of where this could go, but I'm working on it. Having two other fics besides this one that I have to keep updating, and the possibility of another one rambling around somewhere in that tin can of mine, I'm kinda busy. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Montana
Sydney sat alone in the den of the cabin, watching the snow lazily drift from the sky to the ground. He sipped his hot cocoa and sighed as he meditated on the events of the past week.
When Jarod had woken up, Sydney was ecstatic inside. Then things had become difficult. Jarod was none too happy that he would have to give up the people who were dear to him. And on top of that, he kept pestering Miss Parker, almost to the point of harassment. Poor Broots didn't know how to behave around the two, for fear of setting one of them off.
-I wonder how I can get them back on better terms,- he wondered. He took another pull of his cocoa, and noticed that the snow was falling more heavily now. He had heard reports of a blizzard that would be coming soon when he was last in town. Now, he realized that that blizzard would be either today or tomorrow. He also realized that they did not have enough provisions in case a blizzard actually did happen, shutting them in their cabin for days. Sydney stretched, then rose from his position on the couch as he went to throw together a list of essentials that they had to buy before the blizzard came.
"S-Syd, why are you up so early?" Broots murmured sleepily as he stumbled into the kitchen. He rubbed his eyes and then looked at the older man.
"I was just enjoying the morning. But, I fear a blizzard is on the way, and we need many things. I was just about to head into town. Do you wish to join me, Broots?" he asked quietly while raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, sir," he replied, inwardly thankful that he wouldn't be left alone with Benedick and Beatrice, as he had come to think of the sparring pair in recent days. Their volleys of wit and sarcasm had caused Broots' head to spin. He went to get his coat and joined Syd in walking out the door.
Four Hours Later
Jarod dropped the note Sydney had left for them back on the counter. He rubbed his eyes and went to the refrigerator to look for some orange juice. He poured himself a glass and sat down at the table, watching the snow fall. After a few minutes, a rumpled looking Miss Parker trudged into the kitchen and headed straight for the refrigerator. She poured herself a glass of orange juice as well and sat across from Jarod, still not really awake.
Jarod covertly took in her appearance. Her hair was slightly mussed up, but very natural-looking. She had no makeup on, but she looked better for the lack of it. Her cheeks were flushed from sleep. Parker's eyes were a stony blue as they gazed out the window, mesmerized by the falling snow. She was wearing a white baby tee and blue baggy cotton drawstring PJ pants. She took a sip from the glass, then set it down on the tabletop and turned it with her left hand. She then put her hands behind her head and arched her back in the process of stretching. She then noticed Jarod's presence. She kept her hands behind her head, and she sank lower into her chair until she was practically slouching. She rested one knee against the edge of the table and smiled faintly.
"Morning," she said in a gravelly voice. Jarod nodded his reply. She inhaled deeply. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" she asked as her eyes drifted back to the window. Without waiting for his reply, she got up and walked over to the window. The ground was already covered in a thick carpet of white. She turned her head back to Jarod and murmured, "I wanna play in the snow." She hesitated, then asked, "Wanna come?"
Even as she was arching her eyebrow in anticipation of his response, Parker's insides were screaming at her. This was so out of character for her. But part of her didn't care. She wanted to have the fun that was denied her in her childhood. And having fun alone was no fun at all. -Jarod's convenient,- she convinced herself. She heard Jarod clear his throat and reply, "Sure, I'll come." She smiled.
"Good."
"What should we name them?" Parker asked as her breath created thick clouds with each exhalation. Jarod shrugged.
"I don't know." The pair considered the snowmen that they had just constructed. "How 'bout this," he suggested, "I'll name yours and you name mine." After a brief contemplation, Parker nodded. She moved around to his snowman and inspected it carefully.
While Jarod was supposed to be examining her snowman, or snowwoman, to be exact, he took in Parker's appearance. She was wearing black track pants and an oversized sweatshirt that was layered over short and long-sleeved tees. She had a white sock beanie atop her dark head, and black fleece gloves on her hands. Her eyes were actually glittering with happiness. This was a side of her that he hadn't seen in a long time, if ever.
"Pippin!" she declared, "This looks like a 'Fool of a Took' if I've ever seen one." Jarod had to laugh, for she hit it right on the nose. He had recently become acquainted with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and his snowman did resemble a hobbit, feet and all. He then set to inspecting her snowwoman. Then a spark entered into his eyes.
"Michaela," he murmured.
"What?" Parker turned around as if she'd been addressed, then turned slightly red. She looked at her feet. "You remembered?" she asked. Jarod nodded.
"Of course, I remember. And it's the perfect name for this snowwoman. She looks like you," he whispered, smiling. He turned and watched the snow fall. Then he felt something cold, and very wet, hit the back of his neck. Slowly, he reached his hand back and touched the spot. Sure enough, his fingers came off with clumps of snow on them. He faced her abruptly and saw the devilish look in her face before getting pelted with another snowball in the face.
"I'm gonna get you!" he growled as he scooped a handful of snow and molded it into a ball before throwing it at her. She shrieked, and the war was on. They covered the whole yard in their chase. For once, they both had turns being the hunter, and the hunted. It was a fairly new, but exhilarating experience for Parker.
She was more experienced in the art of snowball wars, so she hit him much more often than he hit her. But soon, they were both equally wet, and equally cold. Jarod gave up all pretenses of a snowball fight and began to simply chase her around the yard. Parker dropped the snow in her hands and ran from him, shouting in excitement.
Suddenly, Parker found herself facedown on the ground. She rolled over and sat on her rear. Jarod caught up with her and stopped, trying to catch his breath. He extended a hand for her. She grabbed it and attempted to stand up. But her feet caught the patch of ice that had caused her to fall earlier. This time, she brought Jarod down on top of her. After they'd stopped laughing, the two looked into each other's eyes for a stretch of silence.
Jarod swallowed hard. He hadn't planned for this moment to happen. He had only wanted a fun day with Parker. But his attraction for her had been growing ever since he'd seen her when he became conscious. Her eyes widened slightly as he involuntarily lowered his head. Inches before their lips met, however, Parker turned her head to the side, and Jarod hung his head while closing his eyes. He pushed himself up off the ground and carefully stood up. Parker stood up as well and made a beeline for the cabin, anger beginning to fill her being.
"You should have known better, Parker," she whispered ferociously to herself.
Jarod watched her storm off, wondering why he had to screw things up all the time. He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and took a walk. It would have to be a short one, because the snow was coming down even harder than before.
Part 9: Baby, It's Cold Outside
Disclaimer: No, Jarod is not my slave. . .although. . .NO! Anywho, yadda yadda yadda, you know the spiel.
Author's Note: Hey all! Sorry for the long period of time in between updates. I got swamped with homework, and a nasty case of writer's block didn't help much either. In response to all the reviews I've received so far: thank you so much for reviewing. They really do make my day, whether bad or good. And I also thank you all for sending in constructive criticism, and not flames. To gemini006007: I know that the chapters are very short, but that was the format the original author chose to use. I just kind of fell into it, and now I'm not used to writing epics anymore. Hopefully, I'll be able to write more than just short bursts. So I think they might get longer soon. Well, I'm kind of stuck again. I only have a general idea of where this could go, but I'm working on it. Having two other fics besides this one that I have to keep updating, and the possibility of another one rambling around somewhere in that tin can of mine, I'm kinda busy. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Montana
Sydney sat alone in the den of the cabin, watching the snow lazily drift from the sky to the ground. He sipped his hot cocoa and sighed as he meditated on the events of the past week.
When Jarod had woken up, Sydney was ecstatic inside. Then things had become difficult. Jarod was none too happy that he would have to give up the people who were dear to him. And on top of that, he kept pestering Miss Parker, almost to the point of harassment. Poor Broots didn't know how to behave around the two, for fear of setting one of them off.
-I wonder how I can get them back on better terms,- he wondered. He took another pull of his cocoa, and noticed that the snow was falling more heavily now. He had heard reports of a blizzard that would be coming soon when he was last in town. Now, he realized that that blizzard would be either today or tomorrow. He also realized that they did not have enough provisions in case a blizzard actually did happen, shutting them in their cabin for days. Sydney stretched, then rose from his position on the couch as he went to throw together a list of essentials that they had to buy before the blizzard came.
"S-Syd, why are you up so early?" Broots murmured sleepily as he stumbled into the kitchen. He rubbed his eyes and then looked at the older man.
"I was just enjoying the morning. But, I fear a blizzard is on the way, and we need many things. I was just about to head into town. Do you wish to join me, Broots?" he asked quietly while raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, sir," he replied, inwardly thankful that he wouldn't be left alone with Benedick and Beatrice, as he had come to think of the sparring pair in recent days. Their volleys of wit and sarcasm had caused Broots' head to spin. He went to get his coat and joined Syd in walking out the door.
Four Hours Later
Jarod dropped the note Sydney had left for them back on the counter. He rubbed his eyes and went to the refrigerator to look for some orange juice. He poured himself a glass and sat down at the table, watching the snow fall. After a few minutes, a rumpled looking Miss Parker trudged into the kitchen and headed straight for the refrigerator. She poured herself a glass of orange juice as well and sat across from Jarod, still not really awake.
Jarod covertly took in her appearance. Her hair was slightly mussed up, but very natural-looking. She had no makeup on, but she looked better for the lack of it. Her cheeks were flushed from sleep. Parker's eyes were a stony blue as they gazed out the window, mesmerized by the falling snow. She was wearing a white baby tee and blue baggy cotton drawstring PJ pants. She took a sip from the glass, then set it down on the tabletop and turned it with her left hand. She then put her hands behind her head and arched her back in the process of stretching. She then noticed Jarod's presence. She kept her hands behind her head, and she sank lower into her chair until she was practically slouching. She rested one knee against the edge of the table and smiled faintly.
"Morning," she said in a gravelly voice. Jarod nodded his reply. She inhaled deeply. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" she asked as her eyes drifted back to the window. Without waiting for his reply, she got up and walked over to the window. The ground was already covered in a thick carpet of white. She turned her head back to Jarod and murmured, "I wanna play in the snow." She hesitated, then asked, "Wanna come?"
Even as she was arching her eyebrow in anticipation of his response, Parker's insides were screaming at her. This was so out of character for her. But part of her didn't care. She wanted to have the fun that was denied her in her childhood. And having fun alone was no fun at all. -Jarod's convenient,- she convinced herself. She heard Jarod clear his throat and reply, "Sure, I'll come." She smiled.
"Good."
"What should we name them?" Parker asked as her breath created thick clouds with each exhalation. Jarod shrugged.
"I don't know." The pair considered the snowmen that they had just constructed. "How 'bout this," he suggested, "I'll name yours and you name mine." After a brief contemplation, Parker nodded. She moved around to his snowman and inspected it carefully.
While Jarod was supposed to be examining her snowman, or snowwoman, to be exact, he took in Parker's appearance. She was wearing black track pants and an oversized sweatshirt that was layered over short and long-sleeved tees. She had a white sock beanie atop her dark head, and black fleece gloves on her hands. Her eyes were actually glittering with happiness. This was a side of her that he hadn't seen in a long time, if ever.
"Pippin!" she declared, "This looks like a 'Fool of a Took' if I've ever seen one." Jarod had to laugh, for she hit it right on the nose. He had recently become acquainted with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and his snowman did resemble a hobbit, feet and all. He then set to inspecting her snowwoman. Then a spark entered into his eyes.
"Michaela," he murmured.
"What?" Parker turned around as if she'd been addressed, then turned slightly red. She looked at her feet. "You remembered?" she asked. Jarod nodded.
"Of course, I remember. And it's the perfect name for this snowwoman. She looks like you," he whispered, smiling. He turned and watched the snow fall. Then he felt something cold, and very wet, hit the back of his neck. Slowly, he reached his hand back and touched the spot. Sure enough, his fingers came off with clumps of snow on them. He faced her abruptly and saw the devilish look in her face before getting pelted with another snowball in the face.
"I'm gonna get you!" he growled as he scooped a handful of snow and molded it into a ball before throwing it at her. She shrieked, and the war was on. They covered the whole yard in their chase. For once, they both had turns being the hunter, and the hunted. It was a fairly new, but exhilarating experience for Parker.
She was more experienced in the art of snowball wars, so she hit him much more often than he hit her. But soon, they were both equally wet, and equally cold. Jarod gave up all pretenses of a snowball fight and began to simply chase her around the yard. Parker dropped the snow in her hands and ran from him, shouting in excitement.
Suddenly, Parker found herself facedown on the ground. She rolled over and sat on her rear. Jarod caught up with her and stopped, trying to catch his breath. He extended a hand for her. She grabbed it and attempted to stand up. But her feet caught the patch of ice that had caused her to fall earlier. This time, she brought Jarod down on top of her. After they'd stopped laughing, the two looked into each other's eyes for a stretch of silence.
Jarod swallowed hard. He hadn't planned for this moment to happen. He had only wanted a fun day with Parker. But his attraction for her had been growing ever since he'd seen her when he became conscious. Her eyes widened slightly as he involuntarily lowered his head. Inches before their lips met, however, Parker turned her head to the side, and Jarod hung his head while closing his eyes. He pushed himself up off the ground and carefully stood up. Parker stood up as well and made a beeline for the cabin, anger beginning to fill her being.
"You should have known better, Parker," she whispered ferociously to herself.
Jarod watched her storm off, wondering why he had to screw things up all the time. He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and took a walk. It would have to be a short one, because the snow was coming down even harder than before.