Sam lowered the scrap of cotton wool and shifted it to her left hand. Scrubbing the fingers of her right hand on the leg of her BDU's to dry them, she lifted her hand again and scratched his nose. He jumped, then relaxed as he realised her intentions. Sam bit back a grin.
'Didn't see that one coming, did you?'
And not just because his eyes were shut.
His skin was soft under her fingertips. The line of his nose smooth and straight, except for a small bump in the middle. She ran her fingers over it gently, wondering how it had gotten there.
"Broke it." He answered her unspoken question.
"How?"
"Floor, nose, nose, floor. Fist, nose, nose, fist. Gun-butt, nose, nose, gun-butt."
"Ouch."
"Yep."
"Mmm…" His appreciative murmur brought the grin that had been lurking on her face out in full force. Good to know her efforts were appreciated after all.
"Better?"
"Um-hmm." He nodded, his nose bumping slightly against her fingers with the movement.
She moved her hand away. The temptation to trace the outline of his face, trail her fingers along his skin and learn every inch of it by touch, was too much. His forehead wrinkled.
"Now what?"
"My eyebrow itches."
Of course it did.
She sighed and moved her hand. "Which one? This one?"
She poked the ever-present scar in his left eyebrow.
"Hey! Watch the weak spot!"
"Only one?" She teased.
"Physically."
There was no missing that implication and she tensed, grateful that his eyes were shut so he couldn't see.
"Oh." She said quietly, unsure of how to respond. This was what she'd always been afraid of, that their…feelings…would affect their actions.
He shook his head sharply, eyes still closed. "Sorry, forget I said that."
She swallowed hard. It was probably only meant as a joke anyway. "No, it's okay."
She reached out and placed her fingertip back on his face to show him that it was, really. He tensed for a second, then relaxed. It occurred to her then, that he wouldn't let just anyone do this. He was a man who didn't trust easily and but he was comfortable enough with her, to allow her to do this for him. The sense of satisfaction she felt at the knowledge was a heady rush.
She scratched his eyebrow gently. He moaned softly. "God, that feels good."
She bit her lip as thoughts rose unbidden of what it would be like to hear him say those words under different circumstances. Forcing the thoughts away, she gave in to temptation and ran her finger along his eyebrow towards his nose.
She shook her head slightly at her own hopelessness. All the physical attributes this man had, and she had a thing for his eyebrows. Pathetic really. And his eyelashes, of course. And his eyes. And…she'd better stop there.
The tiny hairs bristled as they were brushed the wrong way, before she slid her finger back across, smoothing the hairs into place. They were so soft…
"Carter, what are you doing?"
Her hand froze. Whoops. Caught. She focused on his face again. He had his other eye open and was squinting at her.
She flushed and lowered her hand. "Um…nothing?"
Maybe he'd let this go?
"Carter?"
Maybe not.
"Uh, sorry. It's just…uh…you'vegotveryniceeyebrows. Sir."
He blinked. "You like my eyebrows?!"
"Uh yes."
Amongst other things.
He shook his head. "You know, sometimes you worry me, Carter."
Nothing new there. Sometimes she worried herself.
o0o
She picked up the cotton-wool and began wiping his eyes again. This time he closed his eyes without being told. You couldn't say he wasn't a quick learner. His eyelashes tickled her palm as she worked. So unfair. She would kill to have such gorgeous lashes…but they really did suit him. Damn him.
"Soo…" he began conversationally, after a minute. "What else do you like?"
Sam burst out laughing. "Oh, we are soo not doing this!"
"Doing what?"
That innocent expression was not going to work on her this time. Eyes closed or not.
"You know what, sir."
He shrugged. "Can't blame a gal for trying."
She snorted. "If you say so, sir."
He grinned. "You don't agree?"
She ignored him. She was not going to let him wind her up with the feminist thing again. That was old, it didn't bother her any longer.
"There, all done."
She dropped the used cotton-wool on the bench and cocked her head on one side. Definite improvement.
His eyes popped open. "Well?"
Unable to resist, she reached out and poked him gently on the nose. His eyes crossed trying to follow the path of her finger. She smiled. "Much better."
A slow smile appeared on his lips. "Thanks."
The look in his eyes, a mix of something she dare not name and resigned acceptance, made her heart squeeze painfully. She knew it was mirrored in her own. Looking away, she stood up and he followed suit.
"You should go wash your face."
He nodded. "Yeah…listen…I owe you one. What say we go grab lunch?"
She hesitated. "I was going to shower…"
"You're not gonna have time to shower before the debriefing. Not if you want to eat as well."
She glanced at her watch. 1630?! It had taken that long? Oi…
Her stomach rumbled. That clinched it. Food. Debriefing. Nice long soak in the bath at home.
"Lunch it is, sir."
"Sweet."
He took his towel and wandered off to the sink area. "Oh and Carter?"
She spun round from putting everything back in her locker. "Yessir?"
His gaze lazily trailed her body from tip to toe, before drifting back up again to meet her eyes.
"I like your…eyebrows…as well."
'Smart-ass.'
o0o