The next afternoon, Elizabeth stepped out of the fitting room of yet another store and smiled shyly. "Well?"
John turned to gaze at Elizabeth and froze, his lips curving up in a slow smile. "Absolutely perfect."
"You think?" Nervously, Elizabeth ran a hand down her side, smoothing the soft fabric. "It's so…"
"So what?" Moving to face her, John caught the wandering hand and squeezed it. "It's beautiful on you."
"I like the color." Which Elizabeth did, the soft material had an iridescent sheen to it under the darker red tone. "And the collar."
"High enough?" John teased, as the collar was nonexistent, the neckline dipping down in a drape, exposing her cleavage. Turning Elizabeth to look in the mirror, his smile widened. "You look beautiful."
Elizabeth eyed the dress for another minute, then smiled. "You make me feel that way."
"Go change, so we can…" John leaned toward Elizabeth's ear so the hovering salesperson couldn't overhear, "Start back toward our hotel, and I can get started on that list of things I mentioned to you."
"Be right back." Elizabeth released John's hand and returned to the fitting room. By the time she returned, having given the dress to an attendant to wrap, John was waiting, more parcels on the counter next to him, the sight of which caused her eyes to widen. "John…?"
"Just a few more things." John teased, wrapping an arm around Elizabeth's waist as she stared at the parcels.
"But, all we've done today is buy things for me." Elizabeth glanced at John. "I'll never wear all of these things, I only need a dress or two, that's all."
"You'll find time to wear them, sooner or later." John leaned back toward Elizabeth's ear as the sales person set the package with the dress in it with the other things. "And we did find a few things for you that are actually for me." Elizabeth closed her eyes, blushing. Gathering their things John led Elizabeth to the door. As they exited, John caught sight of a small café. "Would some tea help?"
Elizabeth glanced at John gratefully. "Yes, then back to the hotel?"
"Whatever you wish, Madame." Leading her to the table, John seated Elizabeth before moving around the table to sit. When the waiter came over, he ordered two teas and something Elizabeth missed before returning his attention to her. "Elizabeth?"
"Hmm?" Elizabeth had been watching the people strolling past the café, and looked back at John. "Sorry?"
"You went away there." John lifted and eyebrow as he reached across and took Elizabeth's hand. Stroking it, he frowned. "Your hands are like ice."
"I'm fine." Elizabeth smiled slightly. "Really. It's still just a bit overwhelming, all of…this."
John's smile disappeared. "We should have gone back to the hotel so you could rest."
"No, really," Elizabeth shook her head. "I like being able to sit and watch people. It's just…"
"Too much, too soon?" Still caressing her hand, John gazed at her intently.
"Not really." Elizabeth broke off as the waiter set their tea in front of them, then placed a plate of delicate pastries between them. When he left again, she continued. "I'm just not accustomed to things, to being able to go, and do…and make decisions about myself. I've not had to do that for so long." With her free hand, she lifted the tea to her lips and took a sip.
"We should have waited before coming here." John shook his head. "It's too soon, we should have stayed at Andrea's."
"No," Elizabeth turned her hand over in John's grasp and laced her fingers through his. "It would have been so easy to remain hidden. I like this, being able to watch, observe…relearn what it means to be free again." Her eyes met his. "I remember coming here with you after the retro-virus incident…we would sit and just watch. Two people watching people who didn't know who we were."
"I remember." John's eyes grew distant. "You didn't really give me an option. You dragged me to places where I couldn't withdraw from the world. Made me deal with what I'd almost become...what I'd..." he paused "What I'd almost done to you."
"And now you're returning the favor." Elizabeth leaned forward and kissed him lightly. "I just sometimes need to take a breath and look around to get my bearings."
"You'll let me know when?" John's eyebrow raised.
"Of course." Elizabeth released his hand and picked up one of the pastries, lifting it to his mouth and waiting until he took a bite to bring the other half to her mouth with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Tease." John chuckled after swallowing.
"Ready to head back to the hotel?" Elizabeth had a devious glint in her eyes.
"Thought you'd never ask." Lifting his hand, John signaled the waiter, then signed the check when it was brought. A minute later, they were moving down the sidewalk, his hand protectively on the small of Elizabeth's back.
When they entered their suite at the hotel, Elizabeth paused, staring around the suite. When they'd arrived in DC they'd only stopped at the hotel long enough to check in and drop off their luggage to be taken to their room before they were off for a morning of shopping. After ten years of living in a dingy two room shack for lack of better wording, she was awed by the hotel room.
"I thought you would like it." John watched her face as Elizabeth took in the elaborate furnishings. Pulling her around to face him, he smiled. "Why don't you go take a bath, I'll put our purchases up while you relax."
Elizabeth stared at John, tears welling up in her eyes. "You are amazing." Sliding her hands up around his neck, she leaned forward and kissed him as he held her. When they finally broke apart, she smiled at him. "I don't want a bath just yet."
"Oh really?" John raised an eyebrow, "and what do you want to do?"
Elizabeth caught his hand and gave a slight tug, leading him toward the double doors leading out to the balcony overlooking the city. "Out here." Pushing open the doors, she stepped onto the stone terrace and hesitated only a moment before continuing to a wide chaise lounge. "Here."
"Here?" John chuckled, then sat on the edge, drawing her down with him.
"I just want to lie here in the sun with you." She waited until he'd settled himself, then curled up next to him, her hand sliding across his chest as she sighed softly.
"Comfortable?" Stroking her hair, he smiled down at her as she sighed again and settled closer against him. She'd gained back some much needed weight, but still felt so light…so slender.
"Yes." Elizabeth tightened her grip on his shirt, nestling into him and relaxing into his gentle stroking of her hair.
John closed his eyes as well, enjoying the warm sunlight. When she spoke again, it was so soft, he almost missed it. "Mmm?"
"So warm." She repeated, slightly louder. "The sun."
"Is it too warm?" Concerned, he lifted his head.
"No." Her lips twitched and she pressed down on his chest. "Stay there."
"Very well." Relenting, he relaxed back into the cushions and waited.
When Elizabeth spoke again, she tilted her head slightly, so John could hear her. "It's so warm. It wasn't warm there. There was sun, and it wasn't cold. But, it wasn't really warm at all. It was an illusion of light. And it was never quiet." She let out a soft sigh. "Not just industrial…but noises from people. And screams. Not constant, but the occasional ones."
"Shh." Trying to calm her, he tightened his arms around her. "It's all right now…shh."
"I know, I know." Shuddering, she clung to him for some time in silence before finally beginning to relax in his embrace. "I needed you so much…"
"Liz..." Her broken tone practically undid his tight control on his emotions. "I'm here now. And I'm not going to leave you. Ever again." She nodded in his embrace. "I want you to rest now. Just rest, I'm here." Gently, he continued to stroke her back until he felt her relax into sleep, eventually following her into the velvety darkness.