Chapter 2: Let Me Give You My Life
A good hour after the events inside the medical bay, they had the plans all sorted out (well, almost), not to mention a few drinks under their belts. It surprised him that she was able to keep up with him as she had confessed that she wasn't normally one to drink in large quantities, but each time she asked for another, he was there to oblige her. He wouldn't allow her to get sloppy, but even Chancellor's needed a break now and again. And she was long overdue.
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, as he watched her. Their eyes met, and he smiled at her. "So you really just went against me because it was my idea?" he teased. His eyes danced with amusement as the firelight several yards away flickered faintly within them.
Abby wrinkled her nose then. Shame colored her cheeks forcing her to look away with a shrug of her shoulders. "I do a lot of things I shouldn't when it comes to you, Marcus." Her hands moved to cup her mug as she brought it back to her lips. She took a sip, still not used to the strong taste of the moonshine in her mug. Her lips smacked slightly, trying to get the taste to lessen, but she enjoyed the lasting effect the substance had on her body.
He was intrigued now. He shifted in the chair, sitting up a little straighter and mimicking her actions as he, too, took a swing from his own mug. To say he was surprised by her statement would have been an understatement. "Oh?"
She cut her eyes in his direction and rolled her eyes. "Don't act so surprised, Councillor. You've known me just about my whole life. I thought you had me figured out by now." She sat her mug onto the table in front of her and propped her elbows on the table and placed her chin in her palms. She glanced around the camp. The activity was finally a dull buzz as everyone was either settling into their beds or watch duty. She should have put herself to bed already as well, but she enjoyed his company. Maybe a little more than she wanted to admit.
He ran a hand through his hair (something he did when he was either frustrated or nervous or both). He couldn't stop staring at her now. His eyes roamed freely over her features, taking in her relaxed demeanor. He sat back, letting his lungs contract and expand as he pulled in a breath of cool night air. "Perhaps. But every time I think I have you all sorted out, you surprise me again." Not that it was necessarily a bad thing. He stretched his arm out across the table, holding his mug, but not picking it up.
She shifted then, eyes locking fully onto him. She smiled. "Well, I have to keep you on your toes, Marcus. Can't have you getting rusty, can I?" She shifted her chin into one palm and moved her free hand to lie on top of his forearm.
The heat in the pit of his stomach (brought on by the drink) intensified at her touch. His eyes moved down, steadying on her hand. He slowly brought his other hand to lay over hers. His fingers gently stroked the back of her hand. "We wouldn't want that at all, Abby." His voice was so soft that he wasn't sure he'd actually managed to speak. He cleared his throat. "Not with danger around every corner."
Her skin goosepimpled at his touch. She had to force herself to focus on the words he was speaking and not the touch of his hand. She lifted her eyes up to meet his then and gave him a slight nod. "Glad to see we're on the same page." She shifted her hand, managing to lace their fingers together.
The shift was so subtle that he was certain that they'd had too much to drink or that he was dreaming. And either way, he found he wanted to stay there with her like they were, but it was late. They had a busy day ahead of them tomorrow, and as it was, they were risking headaches at the very least or full blown hangovers depending on how the moonshine decided to effect their bodies. He squeezed her fingers. "Let me walk you home."
She frowned then, desperately not wanting the night to be over. But she stood as he helped her to her feet. Their hands stayed entwined, and it was as simple as shifting their bodies so they were side by side to keep them connected, to keep them grounded. She felt slightly light headed as the liquor coursed through her at a rapid rate upon standing. She leaned into him then, swaying slightly. "Maybe you should." Her free hand landed on his stomach as she steadied herself. The world was swaying slightly back and forth, and she didn't want to fall flat on her ass.
He gently guided her through the small section of tables and chairs and toward her sleeping quarters. In the dark, he knew that no one could tell they were holding hands, not that he cared for anyone to see, but for the time being, he wasn't sure what was happening between them, and he planned to figure that out before he made any kind of announcement to their people. "Just lean in to me if you need to."
And she did. She felt safe and warm with his hand snug around hers. Her other arm had wrapped itself around the arm that held her hand. She stayed this way until they were just outside her tent. She looked up at him. Her stomach erupted into a fit of butterflies as their eyes met. "Goodnight, Marcus."
He leaned down then, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth. "Sweet dreams, Abby." And he turned her gently and sent her inside. If he hadn't, he'd likely try and follow her, and that wasn't what they needed right now. And he knew it. He watched as she disappeared beneath the tent flap, and his heart clenched. He had no idea what would happen, but he found that he was no longer afraid to find out.