Out of Darkness Comes the Light - Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone you may recognize. I don't even own the title. If you think I have ripped you off, sorry. This came purely from my own imagination, such as it is. I don't even claim that my story is any good...

Cardeia - Tristan's hands. Hmmm lovely hands. He has such remarkable hands.

Your remembered that Teagan doesn't like to fight. And yup, she pulled it out and did it, what she needed to do. I tried to show that she did it without thinking, without hesitation. One thing the Marine Corps did for me was to in an uncomfortable situation such as this, do and act, question later.

I'm happy that you think the chapter flowed well, with the rest. Honestly, I didn't even think about it being choppy. Like I've said, that and the next few chapters have been done and written for a few months, just waiting to be placed in. The part of the teeth? It had popped into my head one night while eating SF and at the moment, I had red bits stuck back there in MY teeth. (grin)

And this chapter I really like. It's very short and calm. It's not the "Oh, let's forget this ever happenend and live happily ever after" scene. But, it's a start for her as she doesn't run from him. Neither is ready to dive back in. Baby steps.

blueskiezrusty - I hope you are finding things better. But I still have one more small plot twist coming up. Next chapter I think. They are getting there. Somewhat. (Wink wink)

And no, it's not drawing to a close. Not just yet. I've got some ties to close, people need to come back. And things may take their time for a while. To catch my breath.

dellis - Thank you for the compliment. And she's trying, but, neither is so sure about things yet.

op - I know you've reviewed last chapter. I think I remember seeing your name. Thank you so much for your support in reading!

If I've missed anybody, I'm sorry as this site still isn't listing reviews. But, thank you!

Teagan slipped into the door and stood beside Arthur. The smell of mint hung in the air. Everything was clean and tidy.Everything in it's place.

Much like Dagaonet's life outside of battle. Teagan smiled. You wouldn't be able to tell it from looking at the man, but he was very neat, very ordered. You were almost afraid to walk across the floor and dirty it.

"Is it a mortal wound?"

Arthur shook his head. "No. Dagonet has stitched it up. He should recover in a few days."

Teagan let out the breath she hadn't even know she had been holding.

"Will you sit with him?" Arthur asked her.

"Of course. Why do you ask? Is there no one else?" The was a hint of hesitation inher voice.

Arthur shook his head. "No, not right now. The rest of us must go out and stop this band. Dag will stay behind to see to him, but we need someone to sit and be here in case fever sets in."

Teagan looked from Arthur to Tristan. "I'm not sure he'd want me here. He hasn't spoken to me in weeks. I've hurt him so badly."

Arthur came to her and placed his hands upon her shoulders. "You are the one who spoke to his heart. You are the one he fought to protect that day on Badon Hill. You were the one he died for. You were the one he looked for when he was returned. You were the one he was concerned about when the Saxons attacked."

"But Arthur...He thinks that I deserted him. That I betrayed him. He has found solace in others. He has moved on."

Arthur gave her a small smile. "He may say that, but he doesn't think that. His soul is tied to yours and yours to his." He dropped his hands. "Go, sit with him."

Teagan nodded and took the empty seat next to the small bed that Tristan lay upon. She didn't hear Arthur slip out of the door.

0o0o0o

Teagan was wakened by Tristan's groan. Opening her eyes, she watched as he slowly turned over on his side, away from her. She watched as the candles traced patterns over the muscles in his back. The light showing the details of his scars. All those scars, Teagan realized, were a map to his life.

For three days she had sat in this room, only leaving to relieve herself. For three days, Dagonet came and tended Tristan's wounds, tended his needs.

Cursing herself for her weakness, she stood up, stretching her cramped muscles as she did so. Quietly and with as little movement as possible, she sat on the edge of the small bed, the right side of her body just barely touching his. She sat for a while, listening to his even breathing.

She gently smoothed the hair back from his face, exposing the tattoo on his cheek. As she ghosted her fingers over his eyes, they twitched, though he did not waken.

Without her hand leaving his skin, she traced his neck with her fingertips, bringing her palm down when she got to his shoulders. Teagan continued her path, down his arm, feeling every scar, every muscle as she went. When she got to his hands, she gently felt each finger, feeling every callous. She smiled, remembering at how these rough hands that were capable of cleaving a man in two had been so gentle with her.

Still, without breaking contact with his skin, she brought her hands back up his arm, to his chest. Stilling her hand, she felt his heartbeat underneath her palm, the soft hairs tickling.

Still he did not wake.

Closing her eyes, she listened for the sound of her own heartbeat. There it was, softly keeping pace with the one underneath her palm.

For long moments, Teagan kept her hand upon Tristan's heart. She wondered at this man. Wondered at herself for giving him up. Sighing, she hated herself for what she did. But, he didn't want her anymore. He had moved on. He had taken others into his bed.

Carefully, she lowered her forehead until it rested on his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she expelled a breath, his body softly shuddering with the feel on her breath on his back.

Still, he did not wake.

Teagan kept her forehead on his shoulder, her hand on his chest until there was a knock on the door and Dagonet stepped in.

A/N: Another very short chapter. It's to set up the next.