Trevor stared for a moment in horror at the scene unfolding before him. After a few stunned seconds, he dashed toward the mountain of snow that had buried Janet. Not knowing where to even begin looking, Trevor desperately searched the area for any sign of Janet's whereabouts.
"Oh God, please let me find her."
There were still rumbling sounds coming from all around and Trevor feared another avalanche could come down at any moment. Finally, spotting a glimpse of the bright colors of the mermaid on Amanda's backpack barely protruding through the snow, Trevor dropped to his knees and began shoveling snow as fast as he could. He grabbed one of his skis to shovel even faster.
"Janet," he yelled. "I'm comin'! Hang on babe, I'm gonna get you out!"
The tears coursing down his face were beginning to freeze by the time he found her. Pulling her limp body from the snow, Trevor found a weak pulse, but Janet did not seem to be breathing. Her lips were cold and slightly blue, Trevor knew if he didn't do something quick, he could loose her forever. Placing his mouth over hers, Trevor blew air into Janet's oxygen-starved lungs.
"This is all my fault," Trevor said. "Draggin' you across the country to get you to admit you want me and I almost get you killed. Please God, don't take her away from me." Taking off his jacket, Trevor wrapped it around Janet as she finally began taking shallow, shuddering breaths on her own. Hugging her close, Trevor released a big sigh of relief he wasn't even aware he'd been holding. "Thanks Big Guy, I owe ya big time for this... just say the word and you got it!"
Further rumblings from overhead reminded Trevor of the need to get Janet to safety. Scooping up her frozen body, Trevor headed toward the safety of the cabin as fast as he could. "Guess I get to check out that cabin after all," said Trevor to himself.
The wind was whipping up clouds of snow, making it difficult to see where he was going, but Trevor was determined to get Janet out of this storm. Lightening continued to flash and in the brief glare, he was able to see the outline of the cabin. Reaching the door at last, Trevor tried to open it only to discover that it was locked. While holding her with one arm, he knelt down and pulled a tarp off a nearby woodpile. Putting it on the ground, he gently lowered Janet onto it.
"Sorry babe, I know this ain't very comfy but it'll have to do 'til I can break open this here door." Trevor attempted to force the door open, but it wouldn't budge. He began to circle the cabin, looking for another way in, when he noticed a tool shed. It was also locked but the door was flimsy and the lock was rusted. Slamming his shoulder into the door, Trevor was able to easily break the door open. Hunting around inside the shed, Trevor spotted a crowbar hanging from a nail. "Oh, Janet will love this," said Trevor, shaking his head at the irony. Grabbing the crowbar, Trevor dashed back to the cabin door and pried it open. He picked Janet up and hurried to get her out of the cold. Searching the cabin's interior he found a cot located in the corner of the room and put her on it. Trevor hunted through a few drawers and closets and found several blankets that he piled on top of Janet's frozen body.
Taking her hand in his, Trevor sat on the edge of the bed, praying for her to regain consciousness. "Come on Janet, you're only on life number four now... you've still got five more to go, so stay with me, ya hear?"
Trevor began to explore the cabin for provisions. He found a small book and some cups and then knelt to look in a cupboard. As he did so, he began to feel exhausted. Stashing the things he found under Janet's cot, he worried about her being warm enough. He caressed her skin and it was still very cold.
"Hey Babe, I hope you don't mind sharing this space with me. If you are going to get warm again we have to get cozy." He removed his shoes and wet jacket and laid down beside her. The cot was barely big enough for one, so he pulled her into his arms. She didn't make a sound, leading Trevor to believe she had not regained consciousness. He pulled the blankets over them, telling himself he should really get her out of those wet clothes. However, exhaustion claimed him and he fell asleep.
Hours later, Janet was the first to stir. She tried to move, but steel bands prevented her from doing so. She tried again, but the movement made her ankle throb. "What happened? Where am I?" she muttered aloud. Looking around the room. She didn't recognize her settings, but as her foggy, still half-asleep mind woke up, she remembered the avalanche and the mountain of snow falling on her. Fear gripped her. "Trevor," she whimpered, concerned that he was out in the cold.
"Right here, babe," he answered from behind her. "It's okay, I am right here. Whew, it's cold in here." He sat up.
"Where are we?? And WHAT are you doing here, in bed with me?"
He chuckled at her outrage. "I was tired, cold, and didn't feel like starting a fire. Besides," he grinned wickedly at her, "I always wanted to wake up with you in my arms, not necessarily with clothes on, but ya know...."
She gave him a dirty look. "Isn't that just like a man..." she snorted. "We are trapped in a cabin and all he can do is think of..." she was cut off as Trevor looked at her.
His passion-filled eyes bore into hers, his lips mere inches from her. "Think of what?" he questioned seductively.
"Playing footsie with a half-conscious woman."
"You're not half-conscious now," he whispered.
Janet felt shivers run down her spine at his dangerously soft tone. He leaned closer to kiss her, but she pulled back. "T..Trevor, it really is cold in here."
"Well, I am trying to start a fire."
Janet dropped her head and groaned. Chuckling, Trevor dropped a light kiss on her lips before getting up and tossing her one of his shirts.
"Get out of your wet clothes and put this on." He opened the door and walked outside to find some wood for the fireplace. Janet dropped the blanket she was holding around her and began to get out of the wet clothes. She removed her shirt and jeans, but decided to leave her under things on. She pulled the shirt Trevor had given her on and buttoned it up. The soft denim shirt hung just below her thighs, revealing more than concealing her smooth, soft legs.
Trevor walked in the door with an armful of wood and started a fire. "Come over here," he patted the floor beside him. "Sit on this rug where you'll be closer to the fire." She gingerly put her good ankle on the floor, joined soon by her swollen, purplish ankle. When she tried to walk, it gave out and she began to fall.
"Trevor!" she shrieked. "Help me!" Trevor leaned back and caught her as she fell, concern etched on his face.
"Hey babe, you alright?" he asked. She nodded, affected not only by the pain in her ankle, but also by the sensations threatening to overwhelm her as Trevor cradled her in his arms. The shirt she was wearing rode up, revealing a good part of her thighs. "Janet," he breathed huskily, his lips mere inches from hers.
"T..Trev..." she began, but he cut her off as his lips claimed hers. Janet wrapped her arms around his neck and groaned. He carried her to the rug and laid her down, kissing her continuously. "Trevor," she breathed. "W..we shouldn't be doing this. What about Axel?" she asked him.
He looked into her eyes, "What about him? I told you we came to settle some things, and Axel Green is one of them." She leaned against a chair in front of the fire and he knelt down to look at her ankle. "Guess what babe?"
She grimaced, "I know... it's broken." He nodded at her deduction. "Now what?"
"Now we find a way to set that leg."
"But how? We don't have any way to do that," she said.
He grinned at her, "I was a Boy Scout, toots. I can get us out of anything."
"You were never a Boy Scout."
"You are right: I was never a Boy Scout, but I was close... besides I am always prepared." He told her to stay put and went outside for a moment. When he came back in, he was carrying a towel filled with snow. Janet howled when he placed it on her ankle. "Sorry babe," he mumbled. "I know its cold and it hurts, but it'll help." He got the blanket off the cot and retrieved the book he'd found the night before. He covered her handed her the book.
"What's this?"
"This," Trevor informed her, "is something else I spotted: a little light reading... maybe."