Disclaimer: I do not own or make any inference that I own Being Human UK or any of its characters.
Softly the strains of a song pierces Annie's dreams, she wonders where she is and whose voice she hears softly singing to her…
"Just like a star across my sky,
Just like an angel off the page,
You have appeared to my life,
Feel like I'll never be the same,
Just like a song in my heart,
Just like oil on my hands,
Honour to love you" (1)
Moments later, she remembers as she is waking, she's laying in Mitchell's bed, the lights are off and the room is totally black, Mitchell's iPod, and Corrine Bailey Rae's voice, along with another…
"Still I wonder why it is;
I don't argue like this,
with anyone but you,
we do it all the time,
blowing out my mind" (1)
Her hair is being gently stroked, if she opens her eyes, will he be there, or is this another dream, one among many since he's passed…because she has sung and hummed this very song, what seems like hundreds of times, since she had him sit down and listen to it with her. Annie subconsciously begins singing the next lines…the ones she loves the most…to the one she loves the most. Now, three voices, Corinne's lovely and ethereal, Mitchell's quiet but rough and Annie's soft and sleepy…
"You've got this look I can't describe,
you make me feel like I'm alive,
When everything else is au fait,
without a doubt you're on my side,
Heaven has been away too long,
Can't find the words to write this song" (1)
"You've got to let me go."
Annie opens her eyes fully, through her tears, she sees him, sitting at the edge of the bed, one hand in her hair and the other stroking now, her face, with his thumb gently running across her lips. It's real, his thumb, the next swipe, she takes it in her mouth, squishy, but real, when his eyes open a bit wider, she bites down, definitely real, his mouth breaks into a wide smile, he digs his other hand deeper into her hair and pulls her up...she helps him, he's as real as she is, it's not a dream…
"Mitchell?"
Not another word is sung or spoken, he has both hands now on either side of her face, he nips at her mouth, her hands which had been lifeless before have travelled up his back and now she has both hands in his hair, neither could tell you who pulled the other into their kiss, all they know is, soft lips open to each other, and the months of loneliness are gone.
Annie tears her mouth away and holds Mitchell's face firmly in her hands, "How is this happening?" She laughs now, she wants to scream, but she goes back to kissing instead, "You're really here..." Kisses are planted all over his face, and then she goes for a place that has always been his favorite. She'll know if this is a dream or reality for certain… hot breath panting in his ear, tongue tracing the contours, and finally sucking on his lobe, it's his favorite spot, those many months ago, she'd found it by mistake of course, and just the same as she when she listens to Corinne, he melts…
"Oh…Annie…" Mitchell says in a strangled breath.
She knows how his toes curl when she does this, so she continues, she won't let his ear go, he's panting in earnest now…
"You've got to stop…"
She finally releases his ear and laughs, a genuine laugh, how she as a ghost can be so turned on, she doesn't know, but she is…
"No, I'm not going to stop…we're not going to stop…"
Annie's hands have travelled again, now to his shirt, frantically undoing buttons, she pulls up his t-shirt and frees his chest's to her wandering hands, she has really missed dragging her nails through his thick mat of black hair…
"Oh...
Your love,
Still I wonder why it is,
I don't argue like this,
With anyone but you,
We do it all the time,
Blowing out my mind" (1)
Annie doesn't know how many opportunities she will have as she knows the Men with Sticks aren't returning Mitchell to her for keeps.
"And you…" Mitchell asks…
Annie hasn't ever tried to do this, when Mitchell was alive, she didn't have the chance, but now at his urging, her hands go under her own white shirt, she pulls, it's slowly going up, he can see her navel, then nothing…she pulls but nothing more happens, she looks mortified, so he begins talking…
"I've always wondered what your skin looked like under those clothes." Mitchell runs first one finger and then his hand along the exposed skin.
"It's so smooth Annie..."
"Now I have come to understand,
The way it is,
It's not a secret anymore,
'cause we've been through that before,
From tonight I know that you're the only one,
I've been confused and in the dark,
Now I understand"(1)
She smiles into Mitchell's eyes once again as she's able to lift the shirt up a bit further…
"At first, Mitchell continued, I was ashamed of myself for wondering such a thing, and then later when you began venturing out, became interested in Saul and Hugh, I thought to myself, they won't touch her, she's mine, but all that shit with Lucy, Kemp and the Box Tunnel Train…I was so full of rage and hate, I ignored you…"
Annie was able to pull her shirt and sweater up to her bra, she was doing it, she could feel Mitchell's fingers slowly dragging along behind, he gave her a look and then without a word, he motioned for her to lift her arms, all of the garments came off, now, she matched him…
"Finally…" they both said at the same time and then laughed.
Mitchell's head dipped down, and his mouth captured her nipple, deep ripples of pleasure coursed through her body, he wanted to spend his time worshipping her, but who knew how much time they would have, he dragged his mouth away and stood, when Annie saw him unbuckling his belt and pulling down his trousers and pants, she jumped up to do the same.
Gently pushing Annie down to the bed, before making love to her, Mitchell breathed out "You're so beautiful."
Annie melted from the loving she hadn't expected but which she had wanted so badly with the one she loved… Annie's whimpers and deep sighs spurred Mitchell on as they barely listened to the last strains of Corinne's heavenly voice...
"Just like a star across my sky,
Just like an angel off the page,
You have appeared to my life,
Feel like I'll never be the same,
Just like a song in my heart,
Just like oil on my hands" (1)
George didn't know what was going on in Mitchell's room, he knew what he thought he was hearing, but he couldn't believe it…
"Ooooo, that's the song Annie's always humming." Michael said as he came up the stairs and encountered George standing at Mitchell's door.
"Huh? What?"
"Annie, Michael said, when she was moving around my apartment, she was always humming that song, but I couldn't place it."
"Oh, yeah, that's her favorite song. After Mitchell passed away, she was playing that song on his iPod 10 times a day. I was going to knock, but it sounds like she needs her space."
"Do you think she'll continue playing it tonight?"
"Yeah, I'd suggest you close your door."
"Will do…" Michael said as he walked on further to his room.
George smiled and thought, if she was dreaming, she was having a vivid dream and if she wasn't, boy would he have something to kid her about mercilessly tomorrow as she was making everyone tea.
"How can two ghosts sweat?"
Annie wrapped her legs around Mitchell's still naked torso and breathed deeply, "How can two ghosts do a lot of things?"
"More importantly, Mitchell asked as he planted a kiss on Annie's forehead, how did you learn to do all those things? You've got me blushing…"
Annie let out a giggle, she knows he's joking with her; she's a bit embarrassed because she's never let herself go like that, and Mitchell's just trying to comfort her.
"I loved it."
"Did you really?" she asks.
Mitchell lifts her face with a finger, makes certain she can tell from his expression that he is serious as he pulls her tighter against him, "Yes, every minute." He takes her breath away momentarily as he plants a hard kiss on her lips.
Annie lays her head back down onto his shoulder... She is extremely satisfied and now very much mollified knowing that she made him as happy as he did her.
"I've been reading…"
"Ah, yeah…" Mitchell says with a drowsy smile.
"One of George and Nina's books..."
"Oh, so that's where you learned those things…"
"Mitchell," Annie said huffily, I only did what those pictures…
"Ahhh, pictures too…I hope that book is on the best-sellers list. If I were still alive, I'd have a few copies myself."
The night passed this way, sleeping, cuddling, sexing, and quietly talking, strangely, Annie knew this wasn't going to last, but as for now, she was not going to question it.
The early morning light was filtering through the crack of Mitchell's heavy black-out curtains, he was already awoke, a few hours ago, he'd pulled the duvet over their entwined but cooling bodies, they were cold, but it was a thing he'd done in the past, a memory, and it felt right even-though they, neither one of them, had been warm in years. Annie's fingers played along his stubble, as she woke up as well.
"Good Morning pet." Mitchell said.
Annie knew she was past hiding her face in his chest, but she couldn't help herself. She was still just the tiniest bit shy.
"Good Morning."
"Corinne's song has filtered its way to purgatory. You played it so much Gilbert asked if I could come back just to erase the track."
"Mitchell, no…"
"Oh yes, there has been a meeting Annie."
"Oh God, about that song?"
"No, no, I'm joking, but I do have to make amends, or try my best too, before I can ever be allowed to be with you again…"
"We're together now…"
"Yes, but you know this is only a short visit."
"I figured as much, but I was hoping you'd tell me otherwise." Annie responded.
"Annie, Wyndham has been silent but the time is coming when he will return... You've got friends in purgatory and we all needed to make certain you are ready. You're going to have to concentrate, you have powers but the more you pine for me, the less you are able to focus on the on-coming threat. You and George have to let me do what I need to do in order to get redemption."
"But we haven't done anything…"
"Yes, you have…You two do more than think about me, you call out to me, you cry for me, and you keep me worrying about you when I should be fighting for forgiveness. I've left the mortal world but you two keep me tethered with your thoughts."
"So, you want us to forget you?"
Annie dis-entangles her limbs from Mitchell's body…
"No, you'll never forget me, but you need to stop worrying that I will forget you. I love you…I love you both."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying; dry your tears, because no matter how far away I am, even if I end up in Hell, I will always love you. I will always think of you and I will be at your door when it's time for us to be re-united."
Annie leaned down and kissed Mitchell on his lips.
"Promise…"
"Definitely…"
Annie crawled over Mitchell to reluctantly get out of bed. She pulled him up and began gathering up their clothes.
"We've got to take a shower before the others wake up."
"Umm, no we don't, we're ghosts remember…"
"Ewww Mitchell, that's gross, I'm not going to put my clothes back on for an eternity without showering after…"
"After…" Mitchell asked as he tried to go in for another kiss.
Annie ducked away from his lips as she opened the door and listened, before he could react, she pulled his arm and lightly raced with him to the bath. Annie made up to Mitchell as she lathered him up and gave him a good wash. Both their hands strayed from the original reason for the bath, but they finally finished, dried off and re-dressed in their assigned clothing.
"So what happens now…?" Annie said as she was leaning against him on his re-made bed.
"Well, soon a door will come for me and I'll return to begin my penance."
"What about Wyndham, how do I keep everyone safe?"
"I can't tell you, but I know you'll figure it out when the time comes. Don't ever forget that you have powers Annie, but you have to be focused on the threat at hand. Your mind needs to be clear so that you can do what needs to be done at the time. There are a lot of people counting on you and they aren't half pleased that I've been gumming up your mind with thoughts of me, when the time comes they will help you, but you've got to be open to receive their messages."
"Ok, but what about right now, how do I keep him out of the house?"
"Well, since he came into the house using a nursery rhyme, you can keep him out the very same way."
"I don't really know any nursery rhymes, but I'm sure George and Nina have a book…"
"No, said Mitchell, I want you to stay out of George and Nina's library…"
Annie's face blushed a bright pink, but she still smiled thinking she would indeed borrow that "other" book once more, in case Mitchell was ever allowed to visit again.
"This one isn't perfect, but if you say it at the door, it will create an invisible turnstile and Wyndham won't be able to come directly into the house unless he asks."
"There was a crooked man…Who walked a crooked mile…He found a crooked sixpence…Against a crooked stile…He bought a crooked cat…Which caught a crooked mouse,
and they all lived together…In a crooked little house." (2)
Annie couldn't help the confused expression on her face…
"Don't try to understand it babe, just repeat it facing the door and unless Wyndham is invited in, he will be forced to stay outside."
Just as Mitchell said, a wooden door appeared in the corner of his room, and they each knew it was time for him to leave.
"I don't want you to go."
"I don't want to leave you, but I do want to go back and work for my redemption. I've been with my mum for the first time in 94 years, she's been praying for me all this time. I don't want to let her down. I don't want to let George down…and I don't want to let you down."
"So you know about Michael?"
"Yes, I've been in his night-mares but I know you will protect him and he won't be in fear for the rest of his life."
"Is he my task, when I've saved him, will my door come?"
"I don't know if he's your only task, but I do know there's much work to be done and when you're ready to join me, your own door will come."
Mitchell kissed Annie deeply for the last time and made his way to the door. He turned back, walked over to the bureau, picked up his iPod and smiled…
"Gilbert would kill me if I forgot this…"
"Does he want to listen to Corinne as well?"
"Ummm, no, I think he mentioned something about throwing it into the fires of hell…"
"Oh…" Annie said sweetly.
Before Mitchell went through the door he said, "It has been, an honour, you know…to love you."
Without giving Annie a chance to respond, the door shut in a blinding whiteness and Annie was alone in the room once more.
Annie made certain Mitchell's door was locked before she popped down to the kitchen. As she was setting out the mugs for everyone's tea and warming up one of Mitchell's baby bottles, George walked up behind her and gave her a hug.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Actually, I'm more than fine George; I'm better than I have been in months."
"That's lovely to hear Annie."
"We're going to be fine George. I still don't know exactly how, but I know we're going to be fine."
"Did a little birdie whisper some words of encouragement in your ear?"
"He did better than that George, he said he loved us and when the time came, we'd be ready. You and me, we're going to save the day."
"He mentioned me?"
"He did more than mention you George. He told me to give you the biggest kiss and to let you know that he is so happy that you named the baby after him."
George's hand stopped in mid-air as he was putting sugars in the cups.
"Really Annie, he came…"
Annie knew there was a dirty pun to be had in that last statement but she refused to mention it. She was in a good mood, but that would be crossing the line.
"He was here George and we've got friends on the other side. We're not as alone as Wyndham might think."
With a better and more positive outlook on her ghostly life, Annie made her way to the front of the house and repeated the nursery rhyme that Mitchell had taught her, clear across town; Edgar Wyndham doubled over and clutched at his abdomen.
"Is there something wrong boss?"
Wyndham looked his fellow vampire in the eye and said, "No, nothing wrong, just a temporary set-back. I think it's time we made a visit to Honolulu Heights; it appears that someone's fighting way above her pay-grade."
To be continued….
Corinne Bailey Rae "Like a Star"
There was a Crooked Man…Author unknown
Disclaimer: I do not own and make no claim that I own Corinne Bailey Rae's Like a Star and hope no one was offended by my use of her words. "Someone" sent that song to her friend and "he" liked it as well…so I had to use it. I just had too.